Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu II has urged the Judicial Service of Ghana to leverage the e-justice system to benefit remote communities.

He observed that the system has the potential to enhance the country’s digital inclusion agenda.

“How can we continue to integrate ICT tools and processes into the justice delivery system so we can reap the benefits of speed and efficiency they bring? How can we turn this into an advantage for the more remote and poorer areas in the country, rather than widening the digital divide?” he said.

His speech was read for him by the Paramount Chief of Asante Mampong, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II at the 2022 annual Chief Justice’s forum in Kumasi.

The forum was under the theme: “Improving access to justice in a pandemic through the use of technology.”

The Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Anin-Yeboah touted the benefits of the e-justice system in Ghana’s justice delivery efforts.

He was hopeful of deploying it in all courts nationwide.

“This system has, for instance, made it possible for court users to file processes and make payments, without the need of coming to the court premises.

“…in the not-too-distant future, these would be permanent features of the judicial system we can deploy in all courts across the country,” he said.

President of the Ghana Bar Association, Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo encouraged the Supreme Court to set up social media handles to educate the general public on topical issues.

“It is proposed for the superior courts-especially the supreme court to consider setting up and maintaining social media accounts-especially on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook-where some selected public interest decisions of the court would be posted, summarized and explained in plain non-legal language to the public for them to understand the decisions, their significance and how they affect their businesses, livelihoods, marriages, security and aspirations,” he said.