Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has urged administrative staff within the Judicial Service to maintain high standards of efficiency and professionalism, warning that operational lapses directly erode public trust in the country's administration of justice.
Speaking at the opening of the second Quadrennial Delegates Congress of the Senior Staff Association of the Judicial Service of Ghana (SSAJUG) in Fiapre, Bono Region, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie emphasized that the public makes no distinction between judges and support staff when forming perceptions of the Judiciary.
"When judges are being lambasted... it is not just the judges. It is the Judicial Service," the Chief Justice noted, pointing out that registrars, clerks, bailiffs, IT personnel, and administrative workers form the operational backbone that enables courts to function.
The five-day congress is being held under the theme “Trade Unionism in the Service, Partnering Management for Quality Justice Administration.”
Human Cost of Administrative Delays
Highlighting the human impact of court operations, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie reminded staff that individuals entering the court system are often dealing with major life crises, such as property disputes, marital breakdowns, criminal charges, or commercial failures.
"Behind every case number is a human being waiting, often anxiously, for justice," he said, stressing that misplaced dockets, unnecessary delays, and poor customer service damage the court's role as a sanctuary of last resort.
Labour Relations and Brain Drain
Also addressing the gathering, the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, urged organized labour within the Judicial Service to exhaust dialogue before resorting to industrial action. While acknowledging the legitimate grievances of workers, he warned that abrupt strikes could destabilize public institutions and compound national challenges.
Meanwhile, the National President of SSAJUG, Suttah Marilyn E. Maureen, raised concerns over an ongoing "brain drain" within the service. She revealed that a significant number of experienced senior staff have resigned over the past three years to seek better employment opportunities abroad.
Mrs. Maureen appealed to the Chief Justice to review staff conditions of service and renovate dilapidated courthouses across the country to improve retention and create a conducive working environment.
