The Anglican Bishop of the Accra Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, has challenged Ghana’s legal fraternity to prioritise righteousness, courage and service in the administration of justice.
He said the justice system needed leaders whose decisions were guided not only by legal knowledge and professional competence but also by moral integrity and the fear of God.
“God does not need more clever lawyers. We need righteous leaders in the justice system,” the Bishop declared.
He was preaching at a special church service to mark the opening of the 69th Legal Year in Accra on Saturday, October 3, 2026, on the theme: “Strengthening the Foundations of Justice through Leadership, Innovation and Technology.”
Drawing on Psalm 11:3 — “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” — Rt. Rev. Dr. Torto said the question was particularly relevant to Ghana’s justice system, which, he noted, faced challenges including delays in cases, protracted land disputes and perceptions that justice was more accessible to the wealthy.
He said just as a house was only as strong as its foundation, the justice system could only be as strong as the values upon which it was built.
Leadership and righteousness
The Bishop identified leadership as the moral foundation of justice and urged judges and lawyers to demonstrate courage, humility and a commitment to serving the public.
Referring to Deuteronomy 16:18-20, he said judges were expected to administer justice without perversion or partiality.
He cited the biblical accounts of Pontius Pilate and Jezebel’s role in the case of Naboth as examples of what he described as weak and corrupt leadership.
“Righteous leadership requires courage to stand for what is just, even when it is unpopular,” he said.
He also called for humility among members of the Bench and Bar, citing Micah 6:8, which calls on people to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.”
According to him, leadership in the justice system should not be about being served but about serving others, particularly vulnerable people who struggle to access justice.
He referenced poor market women who could not afford legal representation and persons who had spent years on remand without knowing their fate as examples of people who needed a justice system that was responsive to their circumstances.
Innovation for faster justice
Rt. Rev. Dr. Torto also urged the legal fraternity to embrace innovation as an essential component of modern justice delivery.
Using the biblical account of King Solomon’s judgment involving two women claiming the same baby, he said wisdom and innovation could provide solutions even where conventional approaches appeared inadequate.
He said Ghana’s justice system had already introduced initiatives such as Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and specialised courts, but more innovation was required to address delays and improve case management.
“Why should one case be in court for years? Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
The Bishop further called for a shift from what he described as “technical justice” to “substantial justice,” arguing that legal procedures should not unnecessarily undermine the substantive purpose of the law.
Technology must serve justice
On technology, the Bishop said digital tools had the potential to strengthen the justice system by reducing delays, improving transparency and limiting opportunities for corruption.
He cited e-filing and transcription as examples of technological interventions that could improve justice delivery.
However, he cautioned that technology should remain a tool for justice rather than becoming a substitute for human judgment and ethical responsibility.
“Technology is a tool, not a master. It is a servant, not a saviour,” he said.
He warned that technology alone could not solve institutional problems.
“If we put technology on the foundation of corrupt leadership, we will only digitise corruption faster in the justice system,” he cautioned.
He therefore urged the legal profession to combine technological advancement with strong ethical values.
A charge to the Bench and Bar
Quoting Psalm 89:14 — “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne” — the Bishop said justice should ultimately be grounded in righteousness.
He reminded judges and lawyers that they had a responsibility to uphold justice regardless of the status or wealth of the parties before them.
“To the Bench, I say: Live with courage and with the fear of God,” he said.
“To the Bar, I say: Innovate for the people, not just for your fees. Use law as service.”
He also urged the legal fraternity to embrace technology while maintaining ethical standards.
The Bishop concluded with a call for the legal profession to rebuild the foundations of justice through leadership, innovation and technology.
“I say the righteous have something to do — they can rebuild,” he said, urging the fraternity to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
“Let justice flow like a river in Ghana. May the poor find refuge. May the oppressed find defender. May the nation find stability through justice,” he added.
The first, second and third Bible readings during the service were delivered by the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie; the Minister for Justice and Attorney-General, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine; and the National President of the Ghana Bar Association, Mrs Efua Ghartey, respectively.
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z
