Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has highlighted the significant cost-saving impact of digitalization in Ghana, citing examples such as the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and the National Service Secretariat.
He revealed that SSNIT saved GH¢480 million by eliminating 29,000 ghost pensioners, while the National Service Secretariat eradicated 44,000 ghost workers, resulting in savings of over GH¢356 million.
Speaking at the launch of LEADing Justice in Accra, Vice President Bawumia expressed enthusiasm for the Chief Justice’s emphasis on digitization within the judiciary, acknowledging Ghana’s progress in this area.
“It is my hope that today’s event will herald a new dawn in the history of our judicial system propelled by efficiency, excellence, knowledge, and integrity.”
He commended the Chief Justice for bringing renewed focus and energy to the judiciary since taking office.
Bawumia emphasized the transformative power of digitalization, citing the dramatic increase in the proportion of individuals with Tax Identification Numbers after the introduction of the Ghana Card as an example.
He also highlighted the effectiveness of digital tools in combating corruption, such as the elimination of ghost workers at the Controller and Accountant General Office.
The Vice President stressed the importance of law, ethics, asset management, due process, and digitization as pillars of the judiciary’s image and advancement.
“When we digitalized and gave everyone a Ghana Card and made the decision to make the Ghana Card Tax Identification number, we increased the proportion of individuals with Tax ID, the number moved from four per cent to 85 per cent just like that.
“We have also seen through digitalization that you can deal with corruption. We have eliminated ghost workers at the Controller and Accountant General Office just by using the Ghana Cards because the ghosts don’t have fingerprints.”
He lauded the positive impact of e-systems in improving the administration of justice, citing his personal involvement in launching a case tracking system in 2018.
Bawumia called on all Ghanaians to support the Chief Justice’s vision for the judiciary, emphasizing the government’s commitment to investing in court infrastructure, residential accommodation for judges, and human resource development to enhance justice delivery.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame, praised the Chief Justice’s innovative approach in launching her vision for justice delivery, describing it as bold and transformative.
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo, expresses confidence in the Chief Justice’s leadership and anticipates transformative changes benefiting all stakeholders in the judiciary.