Ho Magistrate Trains Members in Post-Traumatic Judicial Practice for Enhanced Justice
A group of 26 magistrates, court registrars, and family tribunal panel members from the Volta and Oti regions recently completed a two-day training program on “Trauma-informed Judicial Practice” in Ho. The initiative, jointly organized by the Judicial Service of Ghana and the International Justice Movement (IJM), aimed to equip participants with the knowledge of how trauma affects victim engagement in court proceedings.
The training focused on creating a trauma-informed courtroom environment that reduces anxiety and trauma, allowing victims and witnesses to fully participate in the legal process. Justice Dennis Adjei, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, emphasized the importance of fairness and impartiality in the court system. He reminded the participants that individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Adjei highlighted the need for magistrates to understand the impact of trauma on victims and to uphold the rights of trauma victims throughout legal proceedings. He cautioned against remanding accused persons as a means of punishment, emphasizing that guilt should be established through evidence and due process.
Gabriel Acolatsey, the Manager of Aftercare Services at IJM, shared the organization’s mission of rescuing child trafficking victims on the Volta Lake, restoring them, and facilitating the prosecution of perpetrators. Since 2015, IJM has collaborated with government agencies, resulting in the rescue of 452 victims and the arrest of 250 suspected traffickers. Notably, 94 individuals have been successfully prosecuted, and 163 victims have been successfully restored.
The participants, selected from various locations in the Volta and Oti regions, gained valuable insights into trauma-informed practices, strengthening their ability to provide fair and compassionate justice.
All in all, the training program signifies a commitment to ensuring a judicial system that is sensitive to trauma, supports victims, and upholds the principles of justice. By equipping magistrates and court personnel with the necessary tools, Ghana takes a significant step towards a more compassionate and inclusive legal framework.