Renowned Ghanaian legal expert Tsatsu Tsikata has raised concerns about a perceived decline in public confidence in the country’s judiciary, which he warns could have serious consequences for Ghana’s democratic foundations. Citing findings from the 2024 Mo Ibrahim Index on African Governance, Tsikata highlighted a steep drop in Ghana’s judicial autonomy score from 100% to 50% over the past seven years, signaling a significant shift in perceptions of judicial independence.
Speaking on Accra’s GHOne TV, Tsikata elaborated on how this erosion of trust affects the legal profession and the broader adjudication process. “When people lose confidence in the judiciary, it impacts the entire legal profession, as the judiciary consists of individuals who have risen through legal ranks,” he stated. He added that this decline directly influences public faith in the court system, which is critical to democracy.
Tsikata pointed to a concerning perception that the judiciary aligns its decisions with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), a notion that he warned could set a “dangerous precedent.” He referenced how citizens humorously refer to the judiciary as a “unanimous football club,” indicating a growing skepticism toward judicial impartiality.
During a youth engagement, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s Vice President and NPP presidential candidate, praised Ghana’s governance ranking as seventh-best in Africa. However, the Mo Ibrahim report’s details reveal troubling trends within the judiciary, a core element of democratic governance. The report also highlights civil society concerns over recent judicial appointments and decisions, which they argue suggest political influence.
As Ghana prepares for upcoming elections, the importance of judicial independence remains central, with many urging stronger safeguards to protect the judiciary from external pressures, thereby reinforcing public trust and democracy.
