FIDA Ghana petitions Chief Justice over 'gender-insensitive' matrimonial ruling

The International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ghana (FIDA Ghana), has petitioned the Chief Justice of Ghana, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, over what it describes as troubling aspects of a recent court ruling in a matrimonial dispute, raising concerns about gender sensitivity and judicial reasoning in family law cases.

The petition, dated April 13, 2026, relates to the case of Joana Quaye v Richard Nii Armah Quaye (Suit No. DM/0569/2021), in which judgment was delivered on January 20, 2026, by Justice Justin Dorgu, a Court of Appeal judge sitting as an additional High Court judge.

FIDA Ghana clarified that its concerns do not challenge the authority or independence of the judiciary but rather focus on elements of the reasoning and language used in the judgment.

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“We respectfully bring to Your Lordship’s attention grave concerns arising from aspects of the judgment. Our concern is not with the authority of the Court to determine the rights of parties before it, nor is it an attempt to interfere with the principle of judicial independence, which we fully respect,” the statement said.

The organisation stressed that certain aspects of the ruling risk undermining the dignity of women and public confidence in the justice system, particularly in cases involving matrimonial disputes.

“Rather, our concern lies in aspects of the reasoning and language employed in the judgment which diminish the dignity of women before the courts and weaken public confidence in the fairness, neutrality and sensitivity of judicial reasoning in family law,” it stated.

FIDA Ghana noted that strengthening judicial capacity in this area is critical to ensuring fairness and maintaining trust in the legal system, especially for women seeking justice in family-related disputes.





Read the statement below:

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