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Justice Without Contempt: Revisiting the Powers of Lower Courts in Ghanaian Jurisprudence

Joseph Kwaku Asamoah, PhD

Abstract

This article critically examines the express exclusion of contempt jurisdiction from Ghana’s lower courts—namely Circuit and Magistrate Courts and its implications for judicial authority, constitutionalism, and access to justice. While these courts are empowered to determine serious civil and criminal matters, they lack the authority to punish acts that obstruct or undermine their proceedings. This paradox raises critical questions about the consistency and coherence of Ghana’s judicial framework. Drawing on constitutional provisions, statutory analysis, and case law, the article explores whether the current limitation aligns with principles of judicial independence, fairness, and public accountability. It argues that the absence of contempt powers in lower courts weakens their ability to enforce compliance, diminishes their institutional dignity, and risks eroding public confidence in the judiciary. The article advocates for legal and policy reforms, such as amending the Courts Act or enacting a Contempt of Court Act, to empower lower courts with contempt powers, subject to safeguards and superior court oversight. It concludes that without reform, the lower court’s role in delivering justice at the grassroots level remains compromised, and justice, though dispensed, will not be seen to be done. A robust, respectful, and accessible legal system demands that all courts command compliance and respect.

Keywords

Contempt of CourtJudicial PowersLower CourtsJudicial AccountabilityRule

References

1 Section 36(1) of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459) as amended 2 Patrick Keyzer, Contempt of Court: Principles and Practice (2nd edn, Federation Press 2011). 3 Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, 'Judicial Independence and Accountability in Ghana: Reconciling the Two Imperatives' (2013) 1 GhaLJ 45, 68. 4 Courts Act 1993 (Act 459), s 36. 5 Kwasi Prempeh, ‘The Judicial Role in the Promotion of Democracy: A Ghanaian Perspective’ (2000) 52 JAL 70- 75 6 Justice Stephen Allan Brobbey, The Judiciary and Good Governance in Ghana (Ghana Publishing Company, 2007) 84. 7 Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Contempt Powers and Judicial Accountability in Ghana: A Review (Policy Brief No 7, 2018) https://www.cddgh.org accessed 6 May 2025. 8 Yvonne Tew, ‘Judicial Independence in Authoritarian Regimes: Lessons from Constitutional Courts in Asia’ (2018) 66 Am J Comp L 283, 291. 9 R v Almon (1765) 97 ER 94. 10 R.H. Helmholz, The Spirit of Classical Canon Law (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1996), 11 Case of Proclamations (1610) 77 ER 1352. 12 Bill of Rights 1689 (Eng). 13 Morris v Crown Office [1970] 2 QB 114. 14 Republic v Mensa-Bonsu; Ex parte Attorney-General [1995-96] 1 GLR 377 15 The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. 16 The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992. 17 A.V. Dicey, An Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution (10th ed, Macmillan 1959). 18 Section 36 of the Court Act, 1993 (Act 459) (Ghana). 19 James F. Oswald, Contempt of Court: Its Origins and Scope (Sweet & Maxwell 1910). 20 Attorney-General v Times Newspapers Ltd [1974] AC 273 21 The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992, art 21(1) 22 William Blackstone, Commentaries on the Laws of England (15th ed, 1809) vol 4. 23 Republic v Mensa-Bonsu & Ors; Ex parte Attorney-General [1995-96] 1 GLR 377 24 1 Samuel 15:22, (NIV) 25 C J Oswald, Contempt of Court (3rd edn, Butterworths 1910) 26 Black’s Law Dictionary (Bryan A Garner ed, 11th edn, Thomson Reuters 2019). 27 In Re Effiduase Stool Affairs (No. 2); Republic v Numapau, President of the National House of Chiefs and others; Ex parte Ameyaw II (No. 2) [1998-99] SCGLR 639. 28 Republic v Numapau; Ex parte Ameyaw II and Others [1999- 2000] 1 GLR 283, 29 Republic v Nkansah, unreported case of the Supreme Court delivered on the 28th November 1995. 30 Republic v High Court Accra; Ex parte Laryea Mensah [1998-99] SCGLR 360 31 Article 126(2) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. 32 Comet Products UK Ltd v. Hawkex Plastics Ltd [1971] 1 All ER 1141 at page 1143-1144, CA 33 Akele v Coffie and Another and Akele v Okine and Anor (Consolidated) [1979] GLR 84-90. 34 Republic v Moffat; Ex parte Allotey [1971] 2 GLR 391 35 Republic v Sito I; Ex parte Fordjour [2001-2002] SCGLR 322 36 Republic v High Court Accra; Ex parte Laryea Mensah [1998-99] SCGLR 360 37 In Re Effiduase Stool Affairs (No.2); Republic vrs. Numapau, President of the National House of Chiefs and Others; Exparte Ameyaw II (No.2) [1998-1999] SCGLR 639 38 39 Republic v. Justice Hagan, Ex parteKwadwo Kanpordima & Anor [Suit No: CR/568/2018] dated 11/04/2019 (unreported). 40 Republic v. Mensah-Bonsu & Ors; Ex parteAttorney-General [1995 1995-96] 1 GLR 377 (SC). 41 Republic v. Sito I, Exparte Fordjour [2001 2001-2002] SCGLR 322, at pp. 338x p 42 Republic v. Boateng & Anor; Ex parte Agyenim Boateng & Ors Ors [2009] SCGLR 43 Kangah v.Kyere [1979] GLR 44 Okai v. Mawu [1976] 1 GLR 45 Republic v. Bekoe & Ors; Ex parte Adjei Adjei [1982-83] 1 GLR 91. 46 Tsatsu Tsikata v. The Republic [2003 2003-2004] SCGLR 1068 47 Agbleta v. The Republic Republic [1977] 1 GLR 445. 48 Luguterah v. Northern Engineering Co. Ltd & Others [1978] GLR 477-509 49 Addo JSC; Republic v. Alhassan, Ex parte Abbey (1989 1989-90) 1 GL R 139 (HC) , 50 Atta v. Mohamadu [1980] GLR 862 (HC), pp. 865 865-866. 51 Republic vs. Nu Achia II, Exparte Joshua NmaiAddo {2015} 83 GMJ13. 52 Home Office v. Harman [1983] 1 AC 280, p.310 53 Criminal and Other Offences Act 1960 (Act 29), s.244. Ghana. 54 Abu Ramadan v Electoral Commission & Attorney-General (No 2) [2016] GHASC 33, SC (Ghana). 55 Republic v High Court (Land Court 12), Accra; Ex parte Kennedy Agyapong (Civil Motion No J5/10/2021) [2021] GHASC 24 (SC). 56 Republic v. Moffat; Ex parte Allotey [1971] 2 GLR 391. 57 In re Onny (Contemnor) [1967] GLR 386 (HC); (1968) CC 51 (CA) 58 Court Act, 1993 (Act 459) (Ghana) as amended. 59 Sections 43 and 43 of the Court Act, 1993 (Act 459) as amended by Act 620. 60 Sections 47 and 48 of the Court Act, 1993 (Act 459) as amended by Act 620. 61 Article 126 (2) of the 1992 Constitution (Ghana) 62 Section 36(1) of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459). 63 Mensuo v The Republic 2 GLR 30 and Republic v Kpeve District Magistrate Grade II; Ex parte Agbozo (1970) CC 102 64 The Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), ss. 220–225. Ghana. 65 Order 32, Rule 6(1) of the District Court Rules, 2009 (CI 59) 66Rules 466 and 467 of Federal Courts Rules, SOR/98-106 67 Federal Courts Act, RSC 1985 68 Contempt of Court Act 1981 (England & Wales). 69 Section 10 of Contempt of Court Act 1981 70 The 1992 Constitution, art 126(2). Ghana 71 The Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459) as amended, s.36. Ghana.

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