Justice Ackaah-Boafo Calls for Expansion of Jury Pool in Ghana
Justice Ackaah-Boafo Recommends Expanding Jury Eligibility to All Ghanaians Over 21
- Justice Ackaah-Boafo urges jury reform to include all Ghanaians above 21
- Proposes district-level nomination system to broaden and diversify the jury pool
- Says wider participation can reduce trial delays
Supreme Court nominee, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackaah-Boafo, has advocated for a more inclusive approach to jury selection in Ghana, calling on lawmakers to expand eligibility beyond the current pool of mainly public servants.
Speaking before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Friday, June 20, 2025, Justice Ackaah-Boafo described Ghana’s jury system as fundamentally sound, emphasizing its core value of allowing individuals to be judged by their peers. However, he argued that the system is limited in scope and requires reform to better reflect the broader population.
“Our jury system is a good one—it’s built on the idea of being judged by your peers,” he said. “But its effectiveness is currently hindered by a narrow selection base.”
Justice Ackaah-Boafo proposed that all Ghanaian citizens over the age of 21, regardless of occupation, be eligible for jury duty. He suggested that nominations could be organized through district assemblies to ensure a wider and fairer representation.
“Instead of restricting juror roles to public sector workers, why not open it up to all citizens over 21? A broader pool means more people willing to serve, and that enriches the justice process,” he explained.
He added that diversifying and expanding the jury pool could help speed up the resolution of criminal cases, which are often delayed due to procedural bottlenecks.
“We need a justice system that can resolve cases promptly. It’s unacceptable to still be trying cases from 2022 in 2025. A larger jury pool could make day-to-day trials more practical,” he concluded.
