The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has raised serious concerns about the growing challenges within Ghana’s judicial system, particularly the lack of legal personnel in rural areas.
Describing the situation as dire, Dr. Ayine called for urgent interventions to improve justice delivery across the country.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, he noted that although Ghana has no shortage of competent legal professionals, poor conditions of service—especially low salaries and limited opportunities for career advancement—have led to the resignation of many experienced judicial staff.
He revealed that there are currently fewer than 400 state attorneys serving nationwide, a figure he described as grossly inadequate given the volume of cases, especially in underserved regions.
Dr. Ayine warned that the lack of legal representation in remote areas not only delays the judicial process but also denies many citizens access to fair and timely legal recourse.
He appealed to the Committee to support reforms that will improve the welfare of legal staff and expand the legal infrastructure to ensure a more efficient and inclusive justice system.
The Attorney General stressed that until these systemic issues are addressed, the delivery of justice—particularly in rural communities—will remain severely hampered.
