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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 46435, member: 636"]
A prominent lawyer wants Ghana to stop holding secret court hearings that keep the public away from legal proceedings. Martin Kpebu believes private hearings hurt democracy because citizens cannot watch judges make important decisions. The legal expert spoke Thursday on a television program about transparency problems with the current system. He thinks Ghana has changed over the past three decades and needs more open courts. Kpebu argues that secret hearings prevent people from holding judges accountable for their actions.

The lawyer says democracy requires citizens to see how courts handle cases against government officials. He wants all proceedings involving judges to happen where reporters and citizens can observe the process. Kpebu believes hiding court hearings creates suspicion about whether justice works fairly. The legal system introduced private hearings about 33 years ago but the country has grown since that time. He thinks modern Ghana deserves to watch how courts deal with judicial misconduct.

Kpebu made his comments during ongoing proceedings against Chief Justice Gertrude Esaaba Torkonoo. The Chief Justice faces removal from office after citizens filed complaints about her conduct. Officials suspended Torkonoo from her duties earlier this year pending the investigation. She previously supported making her hearings public but legal challenges have complicated the process. The case highlights broader questions about transparency within Ghana's court system.
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