Supreme Court nominee Justice Amoako Asante has called for any Artificial Intelligence (AI) system introduced into Ghana’s Judicial Service to be specifically designed around the country’s legal framework, court procedures and judicial records.
He said while AI has the potential to improve efficiency within the justice delivery system, its effectiveness would depend largely on whether the technology was developed to reflect Ghana’s laws and the operational realities of the country’s courts.
Justice Amoako Asante made the remarks when he appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee as part of the vetting of his nomination to the Supreme Court.
According to him, a properly tailored AI system could provide valuable support to judges, lawyers and other legal practitioners by helping them access relevant legal information and institutional records more efficiently.
He stressed, however, that the technology should not simply be imported or deployed without considering Ghana’s unique legal environment.
He explained that an AI platform for the Judiciary should be anchored in the country’s legislation, judicial precedents, court procedures, judicial records and other verified institutional data.
Such an approach, he argued, would make the system more dependable and relevant to the work of judges and legal professionals.
Justice Amoako Asante also proposed consideration of a related AI platform for Parliament, which could be linked to the Judicial Service, the legal profession and other relevant state institutions.
He suggested that greater institutional integration could enhance access to authoritative information and improve coordination among institutions involved in lawmaking, interpretation and the administration of justice.
He noted that such a system, if properly designed and connected to verified institutional sources, could contribute to efficiency while reducing the risk of users relying on inaccurate or incomplete information.
The Supreme Court nominee nevertheless acknowledged concerns surrounding the use of AI, particularly the possibility of systems generating inaccurate, misleading or fabricated information.
He said such risks must be anticipated and addressed through proper system design, adequate training and capacity building, as well as strict reliance on verified institutional data.
Justice Amoako Asante indicated that users of AI within the justice system would need to exercise caution and ensure that information produced by such systems was independently checked before being relied upon in legal proceedings or decision-making.
He therefore emphasised the continued importance of professional responsibility in the use of emerging technologies.
Justice Amoako Asante further rejected the notion that AI could eventually replace judges or lawyers, stressing that the administration of justice requires human reasoning, judgment and critical analysis.
He said although AI could assist legal professionals with certain tasks, the ultimate responsibility for interpreting the law and making judicial decisions must remain with qualified human professionals.
He maintained that lawyers and judges would continue to have a duty to scrutinise, assess and verify any information generated by AI before relying on it.
According to him, technology should therefore be viewed as a support tool rather than a substitute for the expertise and constitutional responsibilities of judicial officers and legal practitioners.
Justice Amoako Asante also expressed his readiness to support any policy direction from the Chief Justice aimed at integrating AI into the operations of the courts.
He said the Judiciary should remain open to technological developments that could improve the administration of justice, provided such innovations were introduced responsibly and in a manner consistent with Ghana’s laws and judicial principles.
His comments come amid growing discussions about the potential application of AI across public institutions, including the legal and judicial sectors.
For Justice Amoako Asante, the priority should not merely be to introduce AI into the justice system, but to ensure that the technology is Ghana-specific, reliable, properly regulated and subject to human oversight.
He stressed that with appropriate safeguards, AI could complement the work of judges and lawyers and contribute to a more efficient justice delivery system without undermining the human judgment at the heart of the legal process.
By 1960news.com
