Researchers at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UNIMAC) have warned that language barriers and deficiencies in court interpretation services could undermine access to justice in Ghana.
Speaking on behalf of a research team on Thursday, June 18, Assistant Lecturer at UNIMAC’s Institute of Languages, Siddarthar Agortimevor, said court interpreters continue to face linguistic, cultural and professional challenges that affect the accurate interpretation of proceedings in Ghana’s multilingual environment.
According to her, these challenges can hinder effective communication in courtrooms and potentially affect the fairness of judicial outcomes.
“Court interpreters have been facing cultural and linguistic challenges. These challenges have impeded the smooth delivery of justice in our Ghanaian context.
“Court interpreters operate in a complex linguistic environment and are often required to navigate differences in language, culture and legal terminology. These challenges can affect the accuracy of interpretation and, ultimately, access to justice for many court users,” she said.
