I am Justice Julia Sarkodie-Mensah, a highly motivated and results oriented woman with a passion to bring about change, make a difference and leave a good legacy in my profession as a jurist, a diplomat and as a woman. After several years in private practice in Botswana, and as Ghana’s first Honorary Consul to Botswana for 12 years, I was appointed as a High Court Judge.
Thereafter, I went to Sierra Leone shortly after the eleven years brutal war with a mandate to restructure and reform the judiciary and strengthen its institutional and human capacity. It was my biggest challenge but I believe I did not disappoint my employers, The British Council, and later the Commonwealth Secretariat, so they have sent me now to The Bahamas, where I am now working as a criminal justice Expert for the Commonwealth Secretariat. I am attached to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, with a mandate it to help with the reform of the criminal justice system and develop systems that will improve the administration of criminal justice.
Why you should listen
My experience as a jurist, judge and legal consultant over the years, and working in different jurisdictions in Africa and outside Africa, has exposed me to situations and experiences which I need to share. It is not enough to arrest investigate, try people in court and then punish them. There needs to be a paradigm shift in the way we view and administer justice, by widening our scope and horizon. We need to come to the realization that justice is an inter-disciplinary phenomenon. It is only by joining these disciplines namely, criminal justice, criminology, social justice and youth empowerment that we can talk about FREEDOM AND JUSTICE and sustainable development in Africa. I want my audience to hear my expose on this and take it with them.
Quote from Justice Julia Sarkodie-Mensah
Sustainable development in Africa hinges on four pillars:
- Holistic judicial reform
- Access to quality justice
- Good democratic governance
- Youth development and youth empowerment
About TEDxAccra
TEDxAccra is annual event, where thinkers and doers of our community are gathered to create and share ideas. This year’s TEDx will come off from April 19 to 23, 2016.
The event seeks to develop and leverage the TED experience at a community level, bring together innovative thinkers to connect and discuss great ideas.
At TEDxAccra, participants will take part in a TED-like experience that will ultimately equip and inspire them into boundless possibilities.
The concept is to reflect ideas and inspire thinking of a new generation of African thinkers and leaders, presenting to an audience committed to engaging and reengaging in an active and meaningful manner with the continent.
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Source: TEDxAccra