The Right Reverend Dr Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, Anglican Bishop of Accra, has urged members of the Judiciary to use their gowns, wigs and gavels to protect the nation and God’s creation.
“You have a responsibility to use your gowns and wigs to protect God’s creation and defend Ghana zealously,” he said.
“Be vocal in the fight against the destruction of creation. If other arms of government choose to play politics with galamsey, the Judiciary must make a difference. Provide leadership and win the fight against this menace.”
Right Rev. Dr Torto made the call at a special church service to usher in the 68th Legal Year at the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Accra.
The event, on the theme: “Building the Pillars of Justice through Leadership, Innovation and Technology,” was attended by Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney-General Efua Ghartey, President of the Ghana Bar Association, judges, judicial staff and members of the clergy.
The Bishop said the courts, enforcement agencies and leaders must defend the environment with fairness, adding that “creation cries out for justice.”
“Do not leave this fight to the clergy, the media or civil society organisations.”
He said justice was the foundation of every nation, warning that when it was shaken, the economy, education and security also crumbled.
Touching on leadership, Rt Rev. Dr Torto said it was the cornerstone of a robust justice system.
“Leadership is not about titles but about responsibility. A leader who fears God does not sell truth for money or trade fairness for favour,” he said.
“Ghana needs leaders who inspire, not exploit; who build, not dismantle. Strong leadership is service, not power. It means speaking the truth even when it makes you unpopular and defending justice even when it comes at a cost.”
He reminded judges, lawyers and court officers that they were not only professionals but “guardians of the nation’s conscience.”
“Effective leadership in the Judiciary promotes integrity, transparency and accountability. The Judiciary must foster public trust and ensure that justice is served without bias, ill will or favour,” he added.
The Bishop urged the Judiciary to follow due process and remain a non-political arm of government that acts with integrity and adherence to the rule of law.
On Innovation and Technology, Rt Rev. Dr Torto urged the Judiciary to embrace new approaches and technologies to enhance efficiency, reduce case backlogs and improve access to justice.
That, he said, included adopting Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, simplifying procedural rules and ensuring inclusivity in digital transformation.
“If justice delivery becomes accessible, efficient and effective through modern technological innovation, public perception of the Judiciary will improve,” he said.
“We cannot deliver justice with yesterday’s tools.”
Right Rev. Dr Torto said technology was not a luxury but the backbone of transparent justice.
“A paperless court is not only efficient but also incorruptible. Digital systems make it harder for files to vanish, for evidence to be tampered with or for cases to hide in the shadows,” he said.
He urged the Judicial Service to continue its digitalisation agenda and ensure technology was guided by moral conviction.
“Digital tools must be paired with spiritual discipline so that the power to deliver justice remains untainted by greed or fear,” he stated.
Rt, Rev. Torto said the pillars of justice – leadership, innovation and technology – must help heal the nation’s wounds, including environmental degradation from illegal mining and forest depletion.
“If we fail to act, future generations will inherit poisoned lands,” he warned.
“What is justice if our children must drink chemicals instead of potable water? What is justice if citizens can no longer enjoy their ‘kontomire’ because it is poisoned with mercury?”
On Corruption and Youth Empowerment, Right Rev. Dr. Torto said corruption was not just theft but violence against the poor.
“Every cedi stolen is a classroom unbuilt, a hospital bed unavailable and a broken road left unattended. Corruption mocks the sacrifices of honest citizens and undermines justice,” he said.
Many young people, he noted, were restless not because they lacked talent but because they lacked opportunity.
“Many turn to fraud, crime and hate speech because they feel invisible to the system,” he said, urging leaders to redeem and empower the youth.
“A nation that redeems its youth secures its future.”
He called on the Judiciary to ensure that justice remained continuous, unstoppable and a cleansing force against corruption, oppression and despair.
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