COURT COMPLEX FOR SEKONDI/TAKORADI... (Page 11)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Sekondi

The Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Wood, has announced the establishment of a court complex in Sekondi/Takoradi to expedite effective administration of justice in the Western Region.
She said the court complex would include a Court of Appeal and commercial court, which is to be established very soon to settle economic disputes.
She said the establishment of the commercial court had become necessary in the wake of the discovery of petroleum in the region and in view of cases that might arise from the transactions in the petroleum products.
Mrs Wood made the announcement when she paid two separate calls on the Western Regional Minister, Mr A. E. Amoah, and the Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Nana Kobina Nketsia, as part of a day’s working visit to the region.
She said one of the High Courts in Sekondi would be designated as the commercial court, while the Judicial Service was looking for a suitable and a vast land for the complex.
Mrs Wood further announced that two justices of the Court of Appeal were to  be sponsored to read further courses in law and policy so that they could follow issues pertaining to petroleum exploration and production, as well as other related issues.
She said she had identified some young and capable judges of the Court of Appeal to help her in the management of the courts in the regions and that Justices Yaw Apaw and Isaac Duose had been selected to be in charge of the Western Region.
The Chief Justice explained that they would visit the courts to interact with the magistrates and find out their problems.
She stressed that the country had reached a stage where there was the need to establish a Court of Appeal in all the regions to save judges, lawyers and the people from travelling long distances from the regions to Accra to seek redress at the Appeal Court.
Mrs Wood stressed the need for the provision of enough infrastructure, including court buildings and bungalows for the judges, to give them the peace of mind for effective administration of justice in the country.
“Under the laws of Ghana, it is the duty of the District Assemblies to provide courthouses and accommodation for the magistrates,” she explained.
Touching on revenue generation,  she said revenue collection processes in the judiciary were being reviewed and that since 2006 revenue collection had improved.
“Every court in the country is to collect revenue through the banks for the state,” she said.
“In five years’ time people will appreciate the court system, as well as  the administration of justice in the country,” she said with confidence, adding, “I see a great future for the judiciary.”
The Western Regional Minister, Mr A. E. Amoah, noted that justice was very important, since the people needed peace to embark on their infrastructural development.
Nana Kobina Nketsia said it was noteworthy that in the country’s jubilee year also the first time in the history of the country. A woman had been appointed as the Chief Justice.