Kuwait embarks on legal reform drive, prioritizing most vital laws

• Minister of Justice Nasser Al-Sumait said Kuwait’s political leadership had issued clear directives to support women, which would be reflected in forthcoming legislative amendments, adding all articles of the Personal Status Law have been fully reviewed, including those related to alimony.

• His Excellency Mohammed Habib Idris, Ghana’s Ambassador to Kuwait, said both countries share core values of peace, stability, and sustainable development, and jointly advocate for a rules-based global order amid growing regional and global conflicts.

• Ghana is working closely with Kuwait to implement key bilateral agreements, including a KD 20 million strategic partnership signed in 2022 to support projects in agriculture, education, health, and entrepreneurship, with political consultations set to follow soon.

Nasser Al-Sumait, the Minister of Justice, announced a comprehensive review of Kuwait’s legislative system, noting that out of 982 laws currently in force, the first phase will target 10% for revision, prioritized by importance, reported Arabic daily Al Jarida.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Ghanaian Embassy to mark the country’s 68th Independence Day, Al-Sumait added that “the political leadership has issued clear directives to support women, which will be reflected in upcoming legislative amendments.”

Regarding the timing of the Personal Status Law’s entry into force, Justice Minister Al-Sumait said, “A committee has been formed for this purpose, comprising a number of distinguished judges, heads and directors from the Public Prosecution Office, and supported by specialists. The committee has begun its work, and we expect it to be ready within the coming months.”

He added, “All articles of the Personal Status Law have been fully reviewed, including those related to alimony.”

He also noted that “there is coordination with the Ministry of Interior regarding the special prison for debtors, in line with the implementation of the Arrest and Bringing to Justice Law.”

Al-Sumait praised the longstanding bilateral ties between Kuwait and Ghana

On the occasion, Al-Sumait praised the longstanding bilateral relations between Kuwait and Ghana, which date back more than fifty years. He recalled Ghana’s support during the brutal Iraqi invasion and its contribution of troops to Kuwait’s liberation.

For his part, His Excellency Mohammed Habib Idris, the Ambassador of Ghana to the State of Kuwait, said Ghana and Kuwait share fundamental values in promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development worldwide.

He noted that, like Kuwait, Ghana advocates for a rules-based global order and expressed deep concern over ongoing conflicts in the region and elsewhere, which lead to widespread destruction of lives and property.

He added, “Ghana urges all parties involved in these conflicts to immediately cease hostilities and pursue peaceful solutions in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. We believe that words are mightier than weapons.”

Ghana serves as a market for Kuwaiti products

He noted that his country serves as a market for Kuwaiti products such as refined petroleum derivatives and industrial chemicals. In return, Kuwait imports a range of Ghanaian products, including gold, lumber, cocoa products, tropical fruits, edible nuts, and aromatic oils.

He emphasized that global economic fluctuations provide strong motivation to deepen economic cooperation between Ghana and Kuwait to better shield their economies from external shocks.

He added, “We are working diligently with Kuwait to sign and implement a number of bilateral agreements and initiatives—most notably, an agreement to protect and encourage investments, and the activation of the strategic partnership agreement signed between Ghana and Kuwait in July 2022. This agreement aims to finance projects in agriculture, education, health, and entrepreneurship, with a value of KD 20 million through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). Political consultations between the foreign ministries of both countries will also take place in the coming days.”

Bilateral cooperation

He also highlighted bilateral cooperation in the field of development, noting that Ghana has benefited from grants and loans provided by the KFAED since 1977. These total $177 million and have supported projects in power generation, hospital construction, and road infrastructure.

14 Kuwaiti aid groups active across Ghana’s needy regions

He noted that the presence of fourteen Kuwaiti charitable organizations currently active in underprivileged Ghanaian communities—in areas such as health, education, access to clean drinking water, and mosque construction—further reflects the depth of friendship between the two countries and their peoples. He expressed his deep gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as well as to the government and people of Kuwait, for the valuable support they have extended to Ghana in its development journey.