CHIEF JUSTICE PAYS COURTESY CALL ON DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF PRISONS, URGES COLLABORATION IN CAPACITY BUILDING.

The Chief Justice of the Republic, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has expressed concerned over the overcrowding state of Ghana’s prisons, highlighting it as a contributing factor for the establishment of the shift court system and the specialized courts to fast-track all cases brought before the court.

He made this remarks during a courtesy call to the Director General of Prisons, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (ESQ),today February 4, 2026, at the Prisons headquarters. He emphasizing the need for collaboration between the judiciary and the Ghana Prisons Service in ensuring public safety.

“I have realised there are so many cases at the courts that have not been attended to. In tackling this conjection in the courts, it is very necessary to set up the shift court system where cases would be heard in the morning and afternoon”. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie who was once a commissioned Prison officer also called for enhanced collaboration in capacity building and the Justice For All Programme.

He mentioned that, the Prisons Service would be invited to interact with newly sworn-in judges of the circuit courts. According to the Chief Justice, the practice of some judges issuing long sentences to offenders has contributed to overcrowding in the Prisons. He explained that coordinated efforts between the Judiciary and the Ghana Prisons Service are crucial to maintaining a peaceful nation and ensuring efficient justice delivery system.

The Chief Justice was accompanied by a high-level representation from the Judicial Service including, His Lordship Justice Henry Kwoffie, Justice of the Supreme Court; Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah Honniah, Justice of the Court of Appeal; Prof. Raymond Atuguba, Director of the Ghana Law School; Her Ladyship Justice Serwah Asare Botwe, Justice of the Court of Appeal and Mr. Musah Ahmed, Judicial Secretary.

The rest were Mr. Joseph Ampong, Director of Communications; Mr. Francis Baidoo, Director of Court Services, Mrs. Jennifer K. Amoah, Secretary to the Chief Justice and Mr. Papa Kwaku Maison, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation.

The Chief Justice, the beloved husband of the visionary Director-General of Prisons Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie(ESQ) and a former Prison officer enumerated some long standing challenges facing the Prison Service, which his office is ready to assist for improved administration of justice.

The three Justices of the Supreme and Appeal courts who were present at the meeting commended the Director-General of Prisons for her cooperation and assistance during the recent Justice For All Programme. They assured her of their commitment in supporting the programme and requested for the expansion the service to all prison facilities. On their part in enhancing their services, they will involve Legal Aid to make appeals for deserving remand inmates and facilitate the release of inmates with mental health issues to their families in the interim.

His Lordship, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie was presented with a plaque in recognition of his historic visit to the Prisons headquarters, while His Lordship Justice Henry Kwoffie,

Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah Honniah, Prof. Raymond Atuguba, and Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botwe were also decorated with sashes.