A Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Kweku Tawiah Ackah-Boafo, has proposed that Ghana considers live-streaming selected Supreme Court proceedings to improve transparency, strengthen public confidence in the judiciary and make the justice system more accessible.
He believes technological advancements provide an opportunity for the courts to increase public engagement, although he acknowledged that financial and operational challenges must first be addressed before such a system can be introduced.
According to him, Ghana’s courts already operate as public institutions where members of the public are free to observe proceedings, making openness a long-standing feature of the country’s judicial system.
“I think that in the first place, we have that transparency of the court being a public forum, so that anybody at all can go to the court to view the work of the court,” he said.
Justice Ackah-Boafo noted that several countries have adopted different approaches to balancing transparency with the dignity of the courts.
He explained that the United States Supreme Court does not televise its proceedings but instead provides live audio coverage and later publishes official transcripts.
He added that the Supreme Courts of Canada and the United Kingdom also make proceedings accessible through online streaming platforms hosted on their official websites rather than on national television.
Drawing from these examples, he said Ghana should explore a similar model by broadcasting selected oral arguments in significant cases.
“I think that yes, the time has come for us to have maybe live broadcasts of some of these oral arguments,” he stated.
However, he cautioned that implementing such a system would require substantial investment in technology, including dedicated streaming infrastructure, cameras and online platforms.
He further warned that live broadcasts could encourage some lawyers to seek publicity rather than focus on presenting sound legal arguments.
Despite these concerns, Justice Ackah-Boafo maintained that broadcasting selected proceedings would be a positive step for Ghana’s judiciary if the necessary financial resources and technological infrastructure become available.
