Implementing an e-justice system in Ghana: prospects, risks, challenges and lessons from best practice

Maame Efua Addadzi-Koom; Ebenezer Adjei Bediako

Maame Efua Addadzi-Koom Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Ebenezer Adjei Bediako Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Keywords: Access to justice, Court, E-justice, Ghana, Information Communication Technology, Judiciary

Abstract

There is an increasing global recognition of e-justice initiatives, with a growing significance for African states. Access to justice remains a pressing issue in Ghana. The effective integration of ICTs in the delivery of justice will help free up the clogged justice system. An effective e-justice system will also reduce bribery and corruption within the Ghanaian judiciary. E-justice has the added advantage of reducing the cost of litigation as it cuts down on the geographical barriers by replacing travel with electronic dealings. On the flip side however, e-justice system runs the risk of limiting access to justice by the less privileged in society who are on the other side of the digital divide. This research explores the prospects, risks and challenges of adopting an e-justice system in Ghana by drawing lessons from best practices in and outside of Africa.

Author Biographies

Maame Efua Addadzi-Koom, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

LLB (KNUST); BL (Ghana); LLM (Fordham); PhD Candidate (University of Cape Town, South Africa); Lecturer, Faculty of Law, KNUST

Ebenezer Adjei Bediako, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

LLB (KNUST); BL (Ghana); LLM (University of South Africa); Lecturer, Faculty of Law, KNUST.