The Acting Chief Justice of Ghana, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has commended the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) for its ongoing efforts to advance legal scholarship and foster dialogue on international criminal law across Africa.
The commendation was contained in a speech delivered on his behalf by Justice Hafisata Amaleboba of the Supreme Court of Ghana at the launch of the maiden edition of the African Journal of International Criminal Justice (AJICJ), held at the Dr Daniel McKorley Moot Courtroom, GIMPA Law School, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Justice Amaleboba began by conveying the Chief Justice’s regrets for being unable to attend the event in person due to other pressing official engagements. “His Lordship has asked that I convey to you his regrets for his inability to be here today. He had to attend to other urgent matters, but he has asked that I deliver his address this afternoon,” she said.
Commitment
She highlighted Ghana’s longstanding commitment to the rule of law, human rights, and justice both regionally and internationally, noting that these principles continue to guide the country’s legal and judicial philosophy.
“Viewed through the eyes of Ghana, a nation that has long championed the rule of law, human rights, and justice on both regional and international stages, we must recognize the vital role that scholarship plays in shaping effective and credible criminal justice systems that respond to the complexities of our continent,” she stated.
She described the launch of the African Journal of International Criminal Justice as a “contextually relevant academic platform” dedicated to fostering rigorous scholarship and thoughtful dialogue on international criminal law in Africa.
According to her, the launch theme, “recognizing the relationship between legal scholarship and criminal justice,” was both timely and significant, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between academia and practice in the pursuit of justice.
“As practitioners, scholars, policymakers, and students, we appreciate profoundly that the foundation of any robust criminal justice system rests not merely on adjudication and enforcement alone, but also on critical and reflective scholarship,” she emphasized.
Foundation
Justice Amaleboba noted that legal scholarship forms the intellectual foundation necessary for refining laws, challenging injustices, and crafting innovative frameworks that respond to the evolving challenges of modern societies.
“In the realm of international criminal law, where complex and grave crimes such as genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression demand principled interpretation and analysis, scholarship becomes indispensable,” she added.
She acknowledged that Africa’s engagement with international criminal justice has been marked by both promise and controversy, emphasizing that African scholars have a critical role in bridging the gap between aspirational legal ideals and the realities of justice on the continent.
“Through research, discourse, and publication, platforms such as this journal amplify African perspectives and experiences that are often underrepresented,” she said.
Justice Amaleboba further underscored the interdependence between legal scholarship and the judiciary, describing their relationship as mutually enriching. “The judiciary relies on scholarly work in exercising its interpretative mandates, informing judicial reasoning and policy formulation, while court decisions in turn enrich academic debates by highlighting doctrinal tensions and practical dilemmas,” she explained.
Optimism
She expressed hope that the African Journal of International Criminal Justice would become “an indispensable resource”. She also believes that it would serve as a repository of rigorous research and new perspectives that inspire the next generation of African jurists, enhance regional cooperation, and promote transparency and accountability in international criminal justice.
“I use this opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to supporting initiatives such as this, which nurture harmonization between theory and practice. The promise of justice for past and present atrocities can only be fulfilled through the sustained collaborative efforts that unite the wisdom of legal scholarship with fair and effective criminal justice,” she indicated.
She further congratulated the African Centre of International Criminal Justice, the editorial team, and contributors to the journal for their dedication and excellence. “May the African Journal of International Criminal Justice flourish in this noble endeavour,” she added.
