It is trite law that jurisdiction is a fundamental threshold issue that determines the competence of a court to adjudicate a matter. Without jurisdiction, the court is precluded from proceeding on the merits of the case or making any enforceable orders. In the seminal case of Ghana Bar Association v Attorney-General (1995-1996) 1 GLR (Abban […]
The Civil Jurisdiction of the District Court Read More »
Legal education is the process of learning about the law and the legal profession. It often consists of coursework at a law school, followed by hands-on experience in various legal aid clinics and extracurricular activities like moot courts and law reviews. In many jurisdictions, it involves taking a bar exam to prove one’s proficiency before
Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor: Democratisation of legal education in Ghana Read More »
Over the past couple of days, our screens have been splattered with headlines and scenes relating to Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of Ghana’s opposition party, the New Patriotic Party. Media reports indicated that on Monday, he was formally invited by the Police CID at the Headquarters in Accra, an invitation he honored. This invitation
Wontumi, Bail, and the Law’s True Purpose Read More »
By Her Honour Judge Sedinam Awo Kwadam (Mrs.), Circuit Court 7, Accra, Ghana. LLM. Candidate, International Criminal Law and Justice, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Accra, Ghana. 25th May, 2025. ABSTRACT Sexual violence constitutes a grave violation of human rights, undermining bodily autonomy, dignity, and gender equality. Despite its severe and
This is the 3rd Piece of a 4 part series. Part 1 may be obtained here. Part 2 may be obtained here Part 3 may be obtained here 4.0 CORRUPTION IN THE JUDICIARY Despite the existence of perceptions and evidence of corruption among some judges, many judges maintain a commitment to integrity, actively discouraging bribery
This is the 3rd Piece of a 4 part series. Part 1 may be obtained here. Part 2 may be obtained here 3.0 LAWYERS – PIVOTAL ELEMENT OF JUSTICE If proverbs serve as the palm oil with which words are eaten, then lawyers function as the engines around which the wheel of justice revolves. Lawyers
This is the 2nd Piece of a 4 part series. Part 1 may be obtained here. Cascading Effect Such factors not only affect the accused individual’s right to a fair trial within a reasonable timeframe but also impact other parties, such as witnesses. When a witness for the prosecution is present in court but the
Bertha Aniagyei* Appreciation* In response to my article on judicial reforms, titled “Strengthening the Rule of Law: The Need for Bold and Inclusive Judicial Reforms,” a thoughtful reader highlighted that the responsibility for certain persistent challenges, particularly the issue of undue delay in adjudication, is a shared one between the judiciary and other stakeholders. I
Legal Architects: Lawyers, Prosecutors and the Space Between the Lines of the Law Read More »
By Her Honour Judge Sedinam Awo Kwadam (Mrs.), Circuit Court 7 Accra, Ghana. 28th March, 2025. ABSTRACT Confession statements hold significant evidentiary weight in Ghanaian criminal trials, often influencing case outcomes. However, the reliance on independent witnesses to attest to the voluntariness of confessions, as mandated by the Criminal Procedure Act, has proven inadequate. As
By Her Honour Judge Sedinam Awo Kwadam (Mrs.), Circuit Court 7 Accra, Ghana. May 1, 2025. Introduction Each year, on the 1st of May, the world comes together to celebrate the invaluable contributions of workers. In Ghana, this significant occasion is observed as a public holiday, marked by various celebrations that culminate in parades at
WORKERS’ DAY TRIBUTE: SALUTING THE RESILIENCE OF LOWER BENCH JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES Read More »
