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Legal researcher challenges two month court vacation at Supreme Court
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A legal researcher and academic, Elorm Kwami Gorni, has filed a case at the Supreme Court challenging the two month legal vacation observed by Ghana’s Superior Courts.
He is asking the Supreme Court to declare the practice unconstitutional, arguing that the closure of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for two months can delay the delivery of justice and limit access to the courts.
The case has been brought under Articles 2(1) and 130(1) of the 1992 Constitution, which provide avenues for constitutional interpretation and enforcement at the Supreme Court.
In Ghana, the Superior Courts observe an annual legal vacation from August 1 to September 30.
During this period, the High Court does not completely stop work. Special vacation courts are established to deal with urgent matters.
However, Mr Gorni argues that the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court do not sit during the period, meaning cases and applications before those courts generally have to wait until the end of the vacation.
According to Mr Gorni, the practice can cause unnecessary delays, particularly for people who need urgent decisions from the higher courts.
He argues that the arrangement affects the constitutional right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time under Article 19(1).
He relies on Articles 23, 33, 125 and 296, which deal with fair administrative justice, enforcement of fundamental rights, the administration of justice and the fair exercise of discretionary powers.
He contends that the courts must remain institutionally available to deal with cases in a timely manner, even during periods designated as legal vacation.
Among other reliefs, Mr Gorni wants the Supreme Court to declare that the legal vacation, to the extent that it suspends or substantially restricts the hearing of cases and causes undue delays, is inconsistent with the Constitution.
He is also challenging Rule 61(b) of the Court of Appeal Rules, 1997 (C.I. 19), and Rule 82 of the Supreme Court Rules, 1996 (C.I. 16), which provide for the vacation arrangements of the two courts.
He wants the court to strike down those provisions to the extent that they permit the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court to suspend their sittings for the two month period.
Mr Gorni is further asking the Supreme Court to direct the Chief Justice to introduce arrangements, including rotational vacation sittings, to allow the two courts to continue hearing and determining cases during the legal vacation.
The Supreme Court is expected to determine whether the current legal vacation arrangement is consistent with the constitutional requirement for timely access to justice.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of the Interior has condemned the assault of an arrested person while in police custody and has directed the Inspector-General of Police to launch a full investigation into the incident.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry said it noted with concern that the assault followed public statements linked to a religious dispute, including calls for violence against persons considered to have offended religious sensibilities.
“The Ministry unequivocally condemns all such statements, as there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person on the basis of religion,” the statement said.
The Ministry stressed that regardless of the allegation against a suspect, no one has the right to assault a person in police custody.
“An arrested person is in custody of the State and is entitled to the protection of the law,” the statement noted.
It also expressed serious concern over how civilians gained access to the person in custody.
The Minister, Muntaka Mubarak has directed the IGP to take three immediate actions
They are to identify how civilians accessed the arrested person and determine if any police personnel facilitated, permitted or acquiesced, adding that officers found culpable will face disciplinary action.
Additionally take immediate steps to identify, arrest and investigate the civilian persons who carried out the assault, in accordance with the law.
And finally investigate the conduct of all supervising officers responsible for custody and supervision, and apply disciplinary sanctions where necessary.
The Minister further directed the Police to deal with all persons arrested in connection with the preceding incidents “strictly in accordance with the law and without fear or favour.”
The Ministry reiterated that religious incitement, religious violence and the unlawful assault of persons in custody have no place in Ghana.
“No religious belief, personal grievance or other consideration places anyone above the law,” the statement emphasized.
It reaffirmed government’s commitment to maintaining public order, protecting the rights of persons in custody and promoting peaceful coexistence among citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Government of Ghana has stated that it fully funded the evacuation of more than 1,600 Ghanaians from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Thursday, August 13, 2026, said Ghana did not seek financial or material support from the South African Government to bring the affected Ghanaians back home.
The Ministry was responding to media reports that South Africa was seeking about $18 million in reimbursement from some African countries for costs incurred in supporting and evacuating their nationals.
It explained that all costs related to the evacuation of Ghanaians were covered by the Government of Ghana and Ghanaian partners.
According to the Ministry, more than 1,600 Ghanaians have been evacuated from South Africa since May 2026, with the exercise still ongoing.
It said the evacuees are also provided with reintegration funds, transport fares and other relief items after arriving in Ghana to help them settle back into the country.
The Ministry assured Ghanaians that the country would not be included among those being asked by South Africa to reimburse the cost of repatriating foreign nationals.
It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and welfare of Ghanaians living abroad.
The Ministry said the government would continue to take timely action whenever the safety and security of Ghanaians outside the country were at risk.
It expressed gratitude to President John Mahama and Ghanaian partners for supporting the fully Ghanaian-funded evacuation exercise.
By: Jacob Aggrey
