Finance Minister Proposes 100% IGF Retention for Judiciary to Tackle Court Congestion
By: Maame Efua Kwaduah
In a move aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the country’s justice system, the Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has revealed that the government is exploring a proposal to allow the Judiciary to retain and fully utilise 100% of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF).
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to address pressing operational challenges within the courts and improve the delivery of justice across the country. Dr. Forson made the disclosure during a courtesy call by the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, on Wednesday.
The visit sought to strengthen collaboration between the Judiciary and the Executive arm of government. Other key officials present at the meeting included Supreme Court Judge Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Prof. Raymond Atuguba, the Judicial Secretary, Ahmed Musah, and the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine.
During the meeting, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Finance for its continued support to the Judiciary. He highlighted the persistent congestion in Ghanaian courts as a major barrier to effective justice delivery. Additionally, the Chief Justice raised concerns about the working conditions of judicial staff, emphasizing the need for sustained institutional support to enhance efficiency and improve outcomes within the justice sector.
Responding to these concerns, Dr. Forson reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
He explained that allowing the Judiciary to fully access and utilise its IGF would provide the flexibility needed to respond to immediate operational needs, tackle case backlogs, and ensure smoother administration of justice. According to Dr. Forson, the proposed measure is intended to strengthen the capacity of the courts to deliver timely and effective services to the public.
The discussion underscored the government’s recognition of the critical role of the Judiciary in upholding the rule of law and promoting public confidence in the justice system. If approved, the IGF retention policy is expected to provide the Judiciary with a stronger financial base to address infrastructural needs, improve working conditions for staff, and implement measures to reduce case congestion across courts nationwide.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to modernize and improve Ghana’s judicial system, ensuring that citizens have access to prompt, fair and efficient justice.
