A new court facility has been inaugurated in Aburi in the Akuapem South Municipality in the Eastern Region as part of government’s vision to bring justice delivery closer to the citizenry.
The courthouse forms part of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s initiative to build over 100 courts in all the 16 regions of Ghana.
Chief Justice Anin Yeboah, who commissioned the building on Monday said it was a collective responsibility to ensure that democracy thrives in the country, which can be actualised with a well- resourced judiciary.
He lauded the efforts of the Akufo-Addo Government in providing the infrastructure that will ensure an environmentally friendly justice delivery system in the country.
Justice Anin Yeboah advised court users, especially the staff, to adopt the highest maintenance culture of the facility and its equipment.
He also urged individuals and groups to resort to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism rather than go through litigation.
Akufo-Addo’s vision
It is recalled that in his Message on the State of the Nation on 9th March, 2021, President Akufo-Addo announced that through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development; and the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), the government had already commenced, in an unprecedented initiative, the construction of courts with accompanying accommodation for judges across the country.
Speaking at the commissioning of the new court, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem South, Mr. O. B. Amoah who is also the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development in charge of these projects, said the initiative is to help address the challenge of inadequate court and accommodation infrastructure, ensure ready access to courts in the districts for promotion of justice and to deepen decentralisation in accordance with the 1992 Constitution as well as the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
The Aburi Court and many courts across Ghana, he indicated, marked a very fruitful cooperation between the Judicial service, government through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and the DACF.
Mr. O. B. Amoah pointed out that since 2019, the Ministry and the DACF, with the active involvement of the Chief Justice, have initiated and facilitated the construction of over 100 Court Houses, including 10 two-storey double court buildings and 120 non-residential accommodation for judges and magistrates across the country.
“It is sometimes argued that communities and Districts do not need courts as a priority. The benefits of courts are enormous. Our democracy cannot survive without the administration of justice guaranteed under the Constitution of Ghana, 1992”, the Deputy Minister stressed.
Mr. O.B. Amoah added that despite any challenges, courts exist to guarantee liberty, enhance social order, resolve legal disputes, maintain the rule of law, provide for equal protection, protect individuals against the arbitrary use of governmental power and deter criminal behaviour among others.
“With the setting up of a court in the Akuapem South Municipality, it will also generate employment and all forms of business for the benefit of the Municipality and the nation.
“It is our responsibility to maintain and protect it and appreciate its benefits.
“It is my prayer that His Lordship, the Chief Justice, and the Judicial Service will promote court automation, which when properly implemented, can lead to a significant reduction in the length and cost of judicial proceedings as well as provide better access to civil justice.
Mr. O.B. Amoah also noted that the presence of the court would also strengthen the alternative resolution on disputes as the court can also direct matters to be settled through arbitration, media, negotiation and community dispute resolution methods especially among family members, neighbours or business partners.
Appreciation
The Deputy Minister expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for his support and commitment throughout the years, the Administrator of the DACF, Mrs. Irene Naa Torshie Lartey for championing the construction of the facilities.
Mr. O.B. Amoah thanked Chief Justice Anin Yeboah, for duly leading the judicial service, to advise and to help supervise the programme to provide well-equipped courts and accommodation across the country.
He also expressed gratitude to Otoobour Nana Djan Kwasi II Aburihene and Adontenhene of Akuapem Traditional Council, and Nananom, the Apeadu family who agreed to lease the land as well as the Municipal Assembly and the MCE who acquired the land for this project, the contractor and all stakeholders who supported the completion of the project.
