Dormaa Residents Threaten to Resort to Traditional Curses Over Loss of Faith in Judicial System
Some residents of the Dormaa East District in the Bono Region have expressed little confidence in Ghana’s judicial system, saying they would rather resort to traditional means such as invoking curses and consulting fetish priests to resolve disputes instead of seeking justice through the courts.
Speaking to GIFTs News, several residents claimed the judicial system appears to favour wealthy individuals who can afford experienced lawyers, leaving ordinary citizens feeling disadvantaged and hopeless in their pursuit of justice.
According to them, delays in court proceedings, high legal fees and perceptions of unfair judgments have contributed to growing mistrust in the justice delivery system.
Some residents also lamented the financial burden associated with hiring lawyers, saying many people in rural communities are unable to afford proper legal representation.
Others argued that cases often take years before judgments are delivered, discouraging many from relying on the courts for dispute resolution.
In reaction to the concerns, private legal practitioner, Lawyer Kwaku Anane Gyinde, acknowledged that delays in court proceedings remain one of the major challenges facing Ghana’s judicial system and the African continent as a whole.
He explained that prolonged litigation often weakens public confidence in the courts because many people believe their cases may remain unresolved for several years.
Lawyer Gyinde also noted that access to competent legal representation remains a challenge, particularly in rural communities, due to the concentration of lawyers in major cities such as Accra and Kumasi.
Despite the concerns, he urged the public not to lose faith in the judicial system, stressing that many Ghanaian judges continue to perform creditably both locally and internationally.
According to him, while some judgments may generate public criticism, the courts remain the legitimate avenue for justice delivery and dispute resolution.
He further appealed to judges and judicial authorities to expedite cases to help restore public trust and confidence in Ghana’s judicial system.
The development highlights growing frustrations among some members of the public over access to justice, delays in legal proceedings and the cost of litigation in the country.
