Supreme Court nominee, Justice Eric Kyei Baffour Ackaah-Boafo, has called for improved conditions of service for judges as a key strategy to attract more legal professionals into the judiciary and enhance access to justice across Ghana.

Speaking before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, June 20, Justice Ackaah-Boafo noted that many districts still lack judges due to the unattractive nature of the job, particularly for new entrants to the bench.

“There are many lawyers who may desire to be judges,” he said, “but if you join the bench and after six months you’ve not been paid because your name has not gone on the system, how are you supposed to support yourself? So let’s make the job attractive.”

He lamented that while new courts like one in his hometown, Bogoso, are awaiting inauguration, the reality is that the judiciary continues to face staffing shortages in several regions due to poor incentives.

“If people are not willing to join the bench because the package is not attractive—speak with those on the lower benches, their situation is not the best—then let’s make the job attractive,” he urged.

Justice Ackaah-Boafo emphasized that improving the working conditions and welfare of judges, particularly at the lower courts, would help strengthen Ghana’s justice delivery system and ensure timely resolution of cases in underserved communities.