If the independence of the judiciary can decline between 2017 and 2024 then we have a problem - Joseph Whittal

The Commissioner for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Joseph Whittal has expressed concern over the loss of public confidence in the Judiciary under the Akufo-Addo-led government.

In an interview with Joy News on Monday, November 11, 2024, he pointed out the implications, emphasising that judicial independence is a cornerstone of democracy.

"If you look at it carefully, this has happened within the period of one government. Nana Akufo-Addo's government. The implications of this are that if the independence of the court within one administration from 2017 to 2024 can come down so steeply, then we have a problem," he noted.

Reacting to the recent Mo Ibrahim Foundation report, which highlighted a significant 30% decline in the perceived impartiality of Ghana's judiciary between 2017 and 2023, he stated that previous discussions on judicial independence were often dismissed.

"Now we have a measurement, a measurement that clearly shows it is not just about political parties or political actors trying to run down a government. But there is a major problem with our Judiciary. The implication is that we cannot run to the Judiciary anytime, we have a problem with our governance. Then where else do we go?” he quizzed.

A recent report by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation found a sharp 30% decline in the perceived impartiality of Ghana’s judiciary from 2017 to 2023.

The report’s indicator measures judicial impartiality by considering factors such as court independence, judge autonomy, and judicial appointments.

While confidence in the judiciary’s impartiality was rated at 95.3 points in 2014, this rating had dropped to 68.3 points by 2023—a 27-point decline over the decade.

JKB/ ADG

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