Afrobarometer report: Ghanaians say most court officials are corrupt, untrustworthy and unfair
Most Ghanaians seem to have lost trust and confidence in the justice delivery system in the country, according to the latest Afrobarometer report.
The report sought to determine the perception of Ghanaians regarding the justice delivery system.
Afrobarometer, in its findings, said a section of the public has said, court officials in many instances are seen as corrupt and untrustworthy.
The report noted that over eight in 10 Ghanaians, thus representing 85% had said ‘some’ judges and magistrates are corrupt.
“About half, thus representing a 52% rate the level of corruption in the judicial system as high or very high.”
Also, fewer than half of respondents said they trusted the court, and only one in 20 Ghanaians said they had contact with the formal judicial system in 2019.
“Fewer than one in three rates the judicial system favourably on independence, professionalism, fairness, responsiveness, and transparency.”
In outlining the reasons for the loss of trust in the judicial system, Afrobarometer reports that most Ghanaians think people do not use the formal judicial system because it is too expensive.
They are also of the opinion, “the system favours the rich and powerful and that the legal proceedings take a long time before judgment is given.”
“A majority of Ghanaians say that people are always or often treated unequally
under the law, and that officials who commit crimes always or often go unpunished,” the report had indicated.
Read below details of the full report
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