To:
His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie
Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana
Hon. Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Subject: A Civic Petition to Africanize Ghana’s Judicial Attire and Restore Cultural Dignity to Our Courts
Your Lordship and Honourable Minister,
We write as citizens deeply invested in the dignity, identity, and future of Ghana’s justice system. For decades, our judges have worn wigs and robes inherited from colonial Britain — symbols of a foreign legal tradition that no longer reflects the soul of our nation.
In today’s Ghana, where we proudly celebrate our heritage, it is no longer fitting for justice to be dressed in borrowed garments. The colonial wig, lace jabot, and robe may once have signified authority, but today they feel alien, intimidating, and disconnected from the people justice is meant to serve.
We respectfully petition your offices to initiate a national reform process to Africanize Ghana’s judicial attire. This is not a rejection of solemnity — it is a redefinition of dignity.
Our Recommendations:
1. Replace colonial wigs with traditional Ghanaian headpieces or ceremonial caps.
2. Introduce kente, smocks, and culturally significant robes as formal judicial attire.
3. Incorporate Adinkra symbols and Ghanaian motifs that reflect justice, wisdom, and compassion.
4. Pilot traditional attire during ceremonial court sessions and national events.
5. Commission a national task force including cultural leaders, legal historians, designers, and citizens to guide the transition.
Why This Matters:
– Justice must not only be fair — it must feel Ghanaian.
– Our courts must reflect the people they serve, not the empire that once ruled them.
– Africanization of judicial attire will restore cultural pride, increase public trust, and affirm Ghana’s sovereignty in law and identity.
We believe this reform aligns with Ghana’s broader decolonization agenda and civic education goals. It is a chance to reimagine justice not just as a system — but as a symbol of who we are.
Let our judges wear kente, smocks, beads, and symbols of our heritage. Let justice stand in our image.
The time for change is now.
Respectfully submitted,
✍️ Retired Senior Citizen
For and on behalf of all Senior Citizens of the Republic of Ghana 🇬🇭
Teshie-Nungua
[email protected]
