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Sir Justice Dennis Adjei calls for justice measured by citizen rights
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Sir Justice Dennis Dominic Adjei has emphasized that the true measure of justice in Ghana lies in the accessibility of constitutional rights and essential services to ordinary citizens. Speaking at the inaugural St. John the Baptist Memorial Lecture in Accra, he argued against using abstract metrics to define legal success. Instead, he advocated for a system where the dignity and well-being of every person, particularly the most vulnerable, serve as the primary indicators of a functioning democracy.
Justice Adjei highlighted the state's constitutional responsibilities to ensure equitable development and robust protection for all individuals. He called for the establishment of a legal framework that prioritizes social justice and enforces accountability within public services. According to the jurist, the effectiveness of the national legal system should be judged by how it serves the marginalized, ensuring that fundamental rights are not merely theoretical concepts but practical realities for those at the grassroots level.
The jurist expressed particular concern for the plight of marginalized groups, such as children, the elderly, and women confined to witch camps. He urged the state to implement urgent legal and social protections for these populations, asserting that their living conditions are a direct reflection of the nation's commitment to justice. By focusing on the welfare of the excluded, Justice Adjei suggested that Ghana can better align its administrative practices with the core values of the 1992 Constitution.
In his concluding remarks, Justice Adjei stressed that ensuring actual access to essential services must be a priority for both the government and the judiciary. He called for a fundamental shift in perspective that views justice through the lens of human dignity and social welfare. This approach, he noted, is essential for building a truly inclusive society where the legal system acts as a reliable shield for the weak and an effective tool for sustainable national development.
