Ghana’s jury selection process will now include all eligible citizens, including individuals from the private sector, according to Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo.
Speaking on Tuesday, April 16, 2025, at the opening of the Judicial Service’s 2025 session of the Criminal Assizes, the Chief Justice explained that the expansion of the jury list aims to boost public trust and inclusivity in the justice system.
“We have expanded the jury list to include all citizens qualified by law, including many individuals in the private sector,” she stated.
She emphasized that further steps will be taken over time to broaden the jury pool and encouraged citizens to embrace jury duty as a civic responsibility rather than a burden.
“It is our expectation that citizens will increasingly see jury duty as a civic responsibility, and not an inconvenience,” she added.
The Chief Justice also reminded judges to strictly enforce Sections 222 to 224 of the Criminal Procedure and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 30), which outlines penalties for jurors who fail to appear in court without valid reasons.
“In this regard, foremen are respectfully requested to notify all jurors on a panel about attendance well in advance of the court’s sitting,” she urged.
By Najat Adamu
