Supreme Court nominee, Justice Philip Bright Mensah, has made a passionate appeal to Parliament to approve the judiciary’s full budgetary requests without cuts, stressing that adequate funding is essential to the delivery of justice in Ghana.

Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 17, Justice Mensah underscored the importance of strong financial support in ensuring the independence, integrity and efficiency of the judicial system.

“Please, when our budget comes here, I am pleading, don’t cut our budget. Approve it for us so that our Chief Justices will use that to build more court houses, build office accommodation, and residency for the Judges,” he urged. “When you work in a serene environment, it gives you the urge to work hard.”

Justice Mensah argued that a well-resourced judiciary enhances institutional capacity, improves infrastructure, and helps attract and retain competent legal professionals who are essential for upholding justice and the rule of law.

He emphasised that judicial funding should not be seen as a financial burden, but rather as a critical investment in national development and social stability.

Justice Mensah is widely known for his role as the Presiding Court of Appeal judge who ordered a retrial in the high-profile Seidu Agongo case, after a newly appointed High Court judge initially declined to reopen the matter in 2023.

His comments come amid broader calls within the legal fraternity for increased judicial autonomy and improved resourcing to meet the demands of a growing and evolving justice system.