Speaker Bagbin Urges Political Decorum as JUSAG and New Ghana Law Society Call for Sweeping Institutional Reforms

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has issued a stern warning to political leaders against incentivizing abusive rhetoric, emphasizing that such behavior threatens Ghana's democratic foundations. Speaking at an emergency sitting of Parliament, Bagbin urged party leadership to stop rewarding politicians who use "bitter tongues" and inflammatory language. He maintained that while robust disagreement is a hallmark of democracy, the increasing trend of personal attacks and disrespectful discourse undermines the dignity of national institutions and risks deepening societal divisions. This call for civility comes at a time when multiple stakeholders are demanding structural changes to the nation's legal and judicial frameworks.

Simultaneously, the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) has raised an alarm over a burgeoning crisis within the judiciary. JUSAG President Samuel Afotey Otu revealed that over 130 courts across the country are currently operating without magistrates, a deficit that severely hampers the administration of justice. During the 45th Annual General Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana, Otu appealed to the government to urgently improve remuneration and working conditions. He highlighted the need for a better work-life balance, police protection for lower bench judges, and the narrowing of the salary gap between different court levels, particularly as judicial officers face emerging security risks in the digital age.

In a parallel effort to reform the legal profession, Speaker Bagbin also officiated the launch of the Ghana Law Society (GLS) during its maiden annual conference in Accra. The new society aims to broaden access to justice and address the geographic imbalance of legal services, as GLS President Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor noted that 72% of lawyers currently practice in urban areas. To counter this, the GLS has proposed a national service program for new lawyers to ensure legal representation reaches underserved rural communities. Key figures at the launch, including Chief of Staff Dr. Julius Debrah, emphasized that a robust legal system is a prerequisite for economic growth and constitutional stability.

Broader governance reforms are also gaining momentum through the Citizen Platform for Constitutional Review (CPCR) and the African Court Coalition (ACC). The CPCR is actively engaging traditional leaders and assembly members in Kumasi to support over 50 proposed constitutional amendments aimed at strengthening democratic gains. Meanwhile, the ACC has identified a critical legal gap in Ghana’s framework regarding the enforcement of decisions from the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. These combined efforts from the legislature, the judiciary, and civil society signal a comprehensive push to modernize Ghana's democratic institutions and ensure the rule of law is both inclusive and respected.