In a move to strengthen oversight and deepen collaboration with key legal institutions, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs has embarked on a series of familiarization visits to agencies under the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department (MOJAGD). The visits, conducted in line with Order 238 of the Standing Orders of Parliament, aim to assess operational challenges and explore avenues for institutional support.
The Committee’s first stop was the Ghana School of Law, where they were received by the Director, His Lordship Nana Justice Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, and his team. The delegation toured the school’s facilities, many of which have been in use for decades and are in dire need of upgrades.
Key concerns raised included outdated infrastructure, limited number of permanent lecturers and delays in staff promotions and salary adjustments. His Lordship emphasized the need for urgent intervention to preserve the school’s reputation as the cradle of legal education in Ghana.
The Committee also engaged Mrs. Maame Samar Peprah, Acting Director of the Office of the Registrar of Companies. Her team highlighted several operational bottlenecks affecting service delivery, including the need for a new digital app to streamline services, poor security systems ,inadequate staffing levels , and rising insolvency cases requiring specialized attention. Mrs. Peprah stressed that modernizing the office’s operations would significantly improve efficiency and public trust.
At the Law Reforms Commission, Acting Executive Director Mr. Mark Ziwu presented a modest but urgent list of requests to the Committee. These included:
- A cross-country vehicle for outreach and fieldwork
- Stable internet connectivity
- Laptops and printers to support research and documentation
Mr. Ziwu noted that the Commission’s mandate to review and modernize Ghana’s laws hinges on access to basic working tools.
Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon. James Enu, assured all three institutions that their concerns would be relayed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. He pledged the Committee’s commitment to advocate for resource allocation, foster stronger working relationships and ensure that legal institutions are empowered to fulfill their mandates
“We are not just here to listen; we are here to act,” Hon. Enu affirmed. “These institutions are pillars of our democracy, and we must ensure they are well equipped to serve the nation.”
The Committee’s tour underscores Parliament’s proactive role in strengthening Ghana’s legal framework through institutional support and accountability. As the nation continues to build a robust justice system, such engagements are vital to ensuring that the rule of law is not just a principle but a lived reality.
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