Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called for a healthier balance between the professional responsibilities and personal lives of judges and magistrates, stressing that judicial officers must not lose sight of their humanity.
He made the call at the 45th Annual Conference of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG) in Accra on Wednesday, September 30, 2026 held on the theme: “Balance Beyond the Bench: Harmonising Duty, Justice and Life.”
The Chief Justice said judicial work carries enormous responsibility because decisions of judges can affect people’s liberty, property, businesses, families and futures.
He said maintaining a healthy work-life balance was, therefore, essential, noting that a judicial officer who was constantly exhausted or overwhelmed could struggle to give their best judgment.
According to him, humanity should not be regarded as a weakness within the Judiciary and judicial officers should be able to combine professional discipline with meaningful family and social relationships.
He, however, cautioned that the pursuit of work-life balance should not undermine judicial responsibility.
“We must learn to be judges without forgetting that we are human beings, and we must remain human beings without forgetting that we are judges,” he said.
The Chief Justice stressed that judges must remain diligent and responsive to litigants who depend on the courts for timely justice.
He further linked the welfare of judicial officers to judicial independence, institutional integrity and the quality of justice, while stressing that improved welfare and institutional support must be accompanied by professional discipline, accountability and good performance.
“Judicial independence does not mean freedom from accountability,” he said, urging judges to remain conscious of the citizens they serve.
The Chief Justice also encouraged the AMJG to promote a judicial culture in which members could excel professionally without sacrificing their wellbeing and humanity.
He urged judicial officers to value their families and relationships, warning against reaching retirement only to discover that they had neglected those closest to them.
He said the central challenge was to harmonise the two identities of every judicial officer – the judge and the human being.
The Chief Justice congratulated the AMJG on its 45th annual conference and expressed hope that its deliberations would contribute to building a Judiciary that is “efficient but not mechanical, demanding but not inhuman, modern without losing its soul, and rigorous while retaining compassion.”
AMJG seeks improved working conditions
Her Ladyship Olivia Obeng, President of the AMJG, also used the conference to call for improved working conditions, resources and welfare support for judges and magistrates.
The President cited concerns including inadequate official vehicles, deteriorating judges’ bungalows, delayed allowances and the absence of financial clearance to recruit supporting staff.
The Association also called for an expedited review of the salaries and conditions of service of lower-Bench judges.
On security, the AMJG President expressed concern about attacks, threats and vilification of judicial officers on social media.
While acknowledging that criticism of judicial decisions was legitimate, the President said personal attacks and threats could undermine judicial independence and public confidence in the justice system.
The Association commended the Chief Justice for his prompt intervention following the attack on the Kwame Danso District Court, describing it as an important demonstration of commitment to the safety of judicial officers and staff.
The AMJG called for stronger security and welfare measures, including adequate logistics, decent accommodation, timely payment of allowances, sufficient staffing and structures to support judicial wellness.
“True balance is impossible if judges and magistrates are poorly supported,” the President said, urging stakeholders to create conditions that would enable judicial officers to perform their constitutional mandate effectively while maintaining healthy and fulfilling lives.
The Association also welcomed the government’s decision to allow the Judicial Service to retain 100 percent of its internally generated funds, expressing appreciation to government and the Chief Justice for their role in securing the decision.
JUSAG demands better pay, security
The National President of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG), Samuel Afotey Otu, also called for improved remuneration, working conditions and security for judicial officers and Judicial Service staff.
He said adequate remuneration was necessary to enable judges, magistrates and staff to support their families and live with dignity.
JUSAG specifically appealed for the salary gap between the lower Bench and Superior Court judges to be reduced through improved remuneration for magistrates.
The association also proposed police escorts or orderlies for lower-Bench judicial officers, citing evolving security risks.
Mr Afotey Otu disclosed that more than 130 courts are without magistrates, and urged government to expedite recruitment to address the shortage and improve justice delivery.
He further reminded government of JUSAG’s demands made at its conference in Tamale on August 25 and staff durbar in Tema on September 14, 2026.
According to him, the Judicial Council had submitted its report to the Presidency for presidential approval in accordance with Article 149 of the 1992 Constitution.
He urged government to act on the matter, warning that Judicial Service staff were dissatisfied with the delay.
“An empty sack cannot stand upright,” he said.
GBA calls for continued Bench-Bar dialogue
The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, also emphasised the importance of dialogue and collaboration between the Bench and the Bar.
She said the welfare of judges and the human capital required to deliver justice must remain a priority, noting that the GBA was passionate about issues affecting judicial welfare.
Mrs Ghartey said regular engagements between the Bench and Bar, including meetings with the Chief Justice, Bench-Bar Faculty lectures and discussions on court administration provided opportunities to identify and address challenges facing the justice system.
She cited issues such as afternoon court sessions and working hours as matters that could be collectively evaluated to determine their impact on efficiency and wellbeing.
She called for greater communication between the Bench and Bar, saying stronger dialogue would benefit the justice system and contribute to broader national discussions on justice and governance.
The President also disclosed that 32 members of the Association participated in the Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association conference in Jamaica.
The Association said the participation provided members with opportunities to exchange experiences and learn about developments affecting judiciaries internationally.
It appealed to the Judicial Service to provide financial support to enable more members to attend the next conference, scheduled to take place in Papua New Guinea.
Judicial officers honoured
The conference also recognised judicial officers who have retired or are due to retire after years of service to the Judiciary and Ghana.
Among those recognised were Supreme Court Justice Philip Bright Mensah, High Court Justice Amos Wuntah Wuni and several Circuit and District Court judges and magistrates.
The AMJG wished the retirees peace, good health, fulfilment and the opportunity to enjoy life after years of judicial service.
The conference brought together judicial officers, lawyers and other stakeholders to deliberate on how the Judiciary can maintain professional excellence while improving the welfare, security and quality of life of those responsible for administering justice.
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