Justice Senyo Dzamefe champions AI, virtual courts to end court delays
By: Rebecca Okine
During his Supreme Court nomination vetting on June 16, 2025, Court of Appeal Judge Justice Senyo Dzamefe made a strong case for digital transformation within Ghana’s judicial system.
He urged Parliament’s Appointments Committee to consider artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual courtrooms as essential reforms to address the chronic delays burdening the country’s legal processes.
Justice Dzamefe argued that the introduction of virtual hearings and real-time digital transcription could drastically improve efficiency.
“We should have court records ready by the end of each sitting,” he said, emphasizing the need for AI-powered documentation and technological tools to streamline legal procedures.
His proposals go beyond technology. Justice Dzamefe also advocated expanding the number of courts nationwide to reduce the mounting backlog of cases.
“We need more courts to spread the workload and make justice faster,” he said.
Justice Dzamefe suggested fixed timelines for resolving cases, three months for criminal trials and six months for civil matters, as a way of ensuring swifter outcomes for citizens. According to the judge, virtual courts would also ease financial burdens for litigants and legal professionals, cutting down on transportation and administrative costs.
On the contentious issue of property division during divorces and inheritance cases, Justice Dzamefe reaffirmed the courts’ role in enforcing fairness. Whether under PNDC Law 111 or based on a will, he said, the courts work to protect surviving spouses and ensure just settlements.
He also expressed support for the use of public tribunals to bring the justice system closer to local communities. Responding to Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central
Yaw Boamah, Justice Dzamefe underscored the value of involving laypersons in the adjudication process.
“Law is 20 percent technical knowledge and 80 percent wisdom. Laypeople bring wisdom and cannot be bullied,” he indicated.
On the structural side, Justice Dzamefe called attention to the judiciary’s limited financial autonomy.
“We are independent judicially and administratively, but not financially,” he emphasized, pointing out that parliamentary control over judicial funding hampers operational independence.
