Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie says Ghana’s courts will play a central role in defining the legal boundaries of Artificial Intelligence (AI), warning that the technology’s growing influence must remain subject to constitutional safeguards.
Speaking at the launch of the national AI strategy, Baffoe-Bonnie described the initiative as more than a policy rollout, calling it “a decisive shift” in how the country responds to technological change as artificial intelligence increasingly shapes economic activity and public decision-making.
He said the rapid integration of AI into daily life means the debate is no longer about adoption, but about the terms under which it is governed.
“Every new form of power, whether political, economic or technological, eventually finds its way into the courtroom,” he said. “When that happens, it becomes a matter of law, of rights and of justice.”
The Chief Justice stressed that no system, regardless of its sophistication, should operate outside the rule of law. “Technology must serve justice and justice must never be made to serve technology,” he said, underscoring that constitutional values such as human dignity, accountability and fairness remain central in the AI era.
He outlined potential gains for the judiciary, including faster case management, improved legal research and broader access to justice, particularly for citizens who struggle to engage with the legal system. Such changes, he said, could strengthen institutional efficiency and consistency.
But he cautioned against uncritical reliance on automated systems, raising concerns about bias, transparency and accountability. “It will never be sufficient to say simply that the system decided,” he said, questioning who designs AI systems and who bears responsibility for their outcomes.
Baffoe-Bonnie drew a clear distinction between support and substitution, saying artificial intelligence can enhance judicial processes but cannot replace human decision-making. “Justice cannot be automated,” he said, emphasizing that judgment must remain grounded in human reasoning guided by law.
He said the strategy’s focus on ethics, inclusion and accountability provides a framework for managing these risks, positioning Ghana to shape AI development in line with its legal and institutional principles.
The judiciary has already begun internal preparations, including structured engagements on AI for Supreme Court justices, with the first session held last month. The effort is aimed at equipping judges to interpret and regulate the technology as cases emerge.
Baffoe-Bonnie called for coordinated action across government, academia, the private sector and civil society, saying the success of the strategy will depend on sustained leadership and responsible innovation.
“In the years ahead, we will be judged not simply by how quickly we adopt new technologies, but how wisely we govern their use,” he said, adding that maintaining a balance between innovation and oversight will be critical to preserving public trust in both technology and the justice system.
