CJ urges the public to help to stop extortion at the courts

Accra, June 2, GNA - Mr George Kingsley Acquah, Chief Justice, on Friday inaugurated a 567 million-cedi court complex at Pokuase in the Ga West District with a call on the public to assist the Judicial Service in curbing extortions.

"There are allegations of extortions of money by staff. Cashiers and Registrars are alleged to be demanding more than the approved filling fees, demanding double or triple the actual fees for the performance of their official duties,=94 he said. =93We are very worried about such complaints. We are, therefore, seeking your assistance in checking this anti-social behaviour," the CJ said.

Mr Justice Acquah said the Judicial Service had, therefore, printed out authorized fees chargeable at the district courts and worked out how those fees were calculated when one filed an action in the court. The Chief Justice expressed concern about juvenile justice delivery in the locality and appealed to the Ga West District Assembly to set up Child Panels as provided in the Children's Act. According to him the Child Panels could assist the court in handling minor juvenile offences.

"We the judiciary are prepared to assist in the training and capacity building of these child panels to make them effective partners in handling matters affecting children in your localities. =93A committee for this has been put in place in the Service." He pledged the Judicial Service=92s commitment to continue to provide effective administration of justice at all levels by producing more career magistrates to man district courts in the country. The Chief Justice recalled that the right to justice was one of the most fundamental rights but stressed "for us in Ghana access to justice often escapes us for many reasons".

These, he said, included the absence of courthouses, lack of personnel to man the court, delay in the court system and lack of modern Information Communication Technology equipment.

He said one of the serious barriers impeding access to justice was lack of courthouses for those residing in remote areas and asked the district assemblies to assist in that direction.

Mr Solomon Kwami Tetteh, President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), called for befitting courthouses and accommodation for judges and judicial staff in terms of convenience, comfort and ambience. Mr Tetteh implored all litigants and court officers to guard against the temptation for corruption adding, "let us maintain this courthouse as house of repute".

Shiekh Ibrahim C. Quaye, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, in a speech read on his behalf, expressed the hope that the court would provide the required serene atmosphere for staff to work effectively. He said he was happy that the wide gap in the availability of the judicial service between urban centres and rural communities was gradually being closed.

=93I am sure the completion of this court building will further promote security to life and property and open up the area to investors."

Nii Ofie Nkwantabisa II, Gyaasetse of Pokuase, appealed to the Judicial Service to consider establishing a Circuit Court in the area to reduce the burden of the inhabitants from travelling long distances to seek justice. 2 June 06