 in Ghana, Mr Abednego Orstin Rawlings, has appealed to President){kind=link}
The President of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in Ghana, Mr Abednego Orstin Rawlings, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to introduce sweeping judicial reforms that will restore credibility and strengthen public confidence in the nation’s legal system.
In a formal proposal to the Ghanaian leader, Mr Rawlings highlighted persistent concerns over integrity, corruption, and delays in the administration of justice, noting that these issues have eroded citizens’ trust in the judiciary.
He recommended two major reforms, a compulsory pre-trial verification system for civil cases and live video coverage of court sessions, as practical steps to promote transparency and accountability across the judicial process.
According to him, before any civil case is allowed to proceed, an independent pre-trial investigation should be conducted to confirm the authenticity of claims, documents, and evidence submitted by both parties.
This, he said, would help eliminate frivolous lawsuits, reduce manipulation of judges, and encourage faster dispute resolution.
“A pre-trial verification process will filter out fake or fabricated claims and ensure that only credible cases go before the courts,” Rawlings explained. “It will also promote fairness and conserve valuable judicial time.”
The AFRICOM president also urged the government to make video recording of civil court proceedings mandatory, describing it as a critical step toward promoting openness and accountability in judicial operations.
He noted that live video documentation would discourage bias, protect judicial officers from undue influence, and serve as a verifiable reference point for all court decisions.
“Video coverage of court sessions will make the judicial process more transparent and help both the public and litigants maintain confidence in the system,” he said.
Mr Rawlings emphasised that these two reforms would not only improve justice delivery but also create new employment opportunities for legal researchers, investigators, and mediators.
He expressed optimism that the proposed measures align with President Mahama’s Resetting Ghana Agenda, which aims to rebuild public institutions on the pillars of fairness and integrity.
“The time has come to reset Ghana’s judiciary,” he stated. “By embracing these reforms, your administration can help restore hope in the justice system and make fairness the foundation of governance.”
Rawlings concluded by reaffirming his belief that practical reforms, rather than rhetoric, are what will move Ghana’s judiciary toward true transparency and accountability.