Chief Justice’s wig fiat 'thousand steps backward' – Ace Ankomah

Private legal practitioner, Ace Anan Ankomah, has described as a “thousand steps backwards”, the directive by Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo to all Judges to wear gowns and wigs in court.

A memo bearing the signature of Judicial Secretary, Justice Alex B. Poku-Acheampong, dated October 23, 2017 indicated that: “Her Ladyship the Chief Justice has directed that with effect from 1st November, 2017, all Judges are to wear wigs during Court sittings”.

The memo explained that the decision was taken to preserve the tradition and the uniqueness of the work of judges and the legal profession.

Additionally, the memo said the wearing of wigs would also provide the needed protection and anonymity for judges and enhance personal security.

Lastly, the directive is aimed at restoring the “formal nature of court proceedings and eliminate the creeping casualness in the system”.

The directive, by extension, will mean lawyers must also wear their appropriate gowns and wigs. In Mr Anan Ankomah’s view, the directive takes Ghana legal profession a millennium backward.

He posted the following on his Facebook wall on Wednesday, 1 November: