Former Member of Parliament Mr. Inusah Fuseini has renewed calls for reforms to Ghana’s criminal justice system, including an earlier recommendation that certain criminal cases, particularly those involving politically connected persons, should be concluded within six months.

Mr. Fuseini, who was consulted on an earlier Constitution Review Consultative Committee work, said he proposed measures aimed at tackling prolonged criminal proceedings and ensuring that justice is delivered within a reasonable period.

A key recommendation was that criminal trials should ordinarily not extend beyond six months. The proposal was particularly significant for cases involving politically exposed or politically connected persons, where lengthy proceedings can fuel public perceptions that the justice system is being used selectively or that politically sensitive cases are being deliberately delayed.

The recommendation was intended to ensure that such cases are dealt with expeditiously, rather than allowing them to remain before the courts for several years without resolution.

Tackling delays in criminal cases

Mr. Fuseini said the proposed reforms were informed by concerns over the length of time it can take to conclude criminal cases in Ghana.

Cases can be prolonged by adjournments, procedural applications, congestion in the courts and other challenges within the justice system.

Such delays, he argued, undermine public confidence and can leave both accused persons and victims waiting years for a final determination.

A six-month benchmark, if effectively implemented, would place greater emphasis on efficient case management while ensuring that politically sensitive cases receive the same timely treatment as other criminal matters.

Proposed changes to appeals

Mr. Fuseini also recalled proposals concerning appeals in criminal matters, including measures that would limit certain appeals to the Supreme Court.

The objective, he explained, was to reduce the workload of the apex court and enable it to focus on constitutional interpretation and other matters of national importance.

The proposed reforms formed part of broader efforts to improve the efficiency of Ghana’s justice system and reduce the backlog of cases.

Balancing justice and due process

The call for faster trials does not diminish the constitutional rights of accused persons, including the right to a fair hearing and adequate opportunity to present a defence.

Rather, the central concern is to ensure that legitimate criminal proceedings are not unnecessarily prolonged.

Mr. Fuseini’s comments come amid renewed discussion within Ghana’s legal community about whether substantive criminal trials should continue during the legal vacation, particularly where suspending proceedings could result in avoidable delays.

For politically connected persons facing criminal charges, the issue is especially sensitive. Expediting such cases could help prevent proceedings from becoming prolonged political battles while also ensuring that allegations are tested promptly before an independent court.

The broader reform challenge, therefore, is not simply to impose a six-month deadline, but to strengthen court administration, reduce unnecessary adjournments and provide the resources required for judges and prosecutors to determine cases efficiently.

For Mr. Fuseini, such reforms could help restore public confidence in the criminal justice system by ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor selectively accelerated, regardless of the political status of the people involved.