Accra: Ghana's Superior Courts are currently managing an overwhelming backlog of approximately 29,500 pending cases, as disclosed by Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi. Justice Kulendi presented these figures during a lecture at the University of Ghana School of Law, where he was honored as a Distinguished Alumni.
According to Ghana Web, Justice Kulendi began his address by reflecting on his personal journey, expressing the privilege he felt returning to his alma mater. He emphasized the foundational values of hard work, focus, integrity, and intellectual honesty that have guided his professional life. Justice Kulendi shared his story from the Upper West Region to becoming the first Supreme Court Justice from that area, underscoring his message to the students about the importance of perseverance in the face of an imperfect legal system.
Justice Kulendi provided data from the current legal year, detailing that the courts received 4,347 new filings between October 2025 and March 2026, while concluding 4,305 cases in the same timeframe. He highlighted the High Court's significant burden, with 2,854 new cases and 2,860 concluded, yet still holding a pending caseload of 24,543 matters, accounting for over 83 percent of all cases in the Superior Courts.
He described the High Court as "the engine room of Ghana's judicial system," noting that the slight reduction in backlog indicates improvements in case management and technology. The Court of Appeal received 1,214 appeals and concluded 1,195, leaving 4,501 pending cases. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court took in 279 new matters, concluded 250, and carries 454 pending cases.
Justice Kulendi characterized the situation as a complexity rather than an institutional failure, emphasizing the need for more judges, improved case management, and further investment in court technology. He noted that the 221 judges across the Superior Courts are responsible for nearly 30,000 pending matters. Justice Kulendi shared the stage with fellow Supreme Court Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei during the School of Law's "Conversations and Cocktail" series.