Nana Akufo-Addo, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, on Thursday said a car loan scheme may appeal to Judges but a decision on the issue would have to emanate from the Judiciary.
"Car loans for Judges! Well, if that is the best way to improve on their mobility, I am sure they would take it but as you know I can't speak for them."
Nana Akufo-Addo was answering a subsidiary question posed by Dr. John Abu, NDC-Amenfi Central, on whether judges would be given loans to buy cars.
Nii Adu Daku Mante, NPP-Osu Klottey , had asked an urgent question, demanding the category of persons in the Judiciary, who are provided with vehicles for their official use and what the condition of the use of the said vehicles are.
The Minister said according to the conditions of service of Superior Court Judges, each judge is entitled to chauffeur driven car.
He said in September 1996, government acquired 6 Audi cars for Supreme Court Judges, 4 Audi cars for Appeal Court Judges and Toyota Corona cars for High Court Judges and Chairmen of Regional Tribunals.
Nana Akufo-Addo said:" The understanding was that such cars were to be used by our Judges for five years after which they were to be boarded and sold to the assignees. This is, however subject to government ability to replace them."
Nana Akufo-Addo said:" Most Judges now drive these cars without functioning air-conditioners and several have had to either maintain the cars and provide tyres and batteries themselves as the high cost of maintenance can no longer be contained by the approved budget for the Judicial Service."
He said the only prudent alternative is to replace the cars. According to the Minister, 14 High Court Judges and 2 Chairmen promoted in January 2000 have no cars.
He said Judges of the inferior Courts are not entitled to official cars. Ten Judges including the Chief Justice form the Supreme Court, 18 Judges make up the Appeal Court while 41 Judges administer High Courts. There are 17 Chairmen of Regional Tribunal across the country.
