Chief Justice calls for fruitful collaboration between Ghana and US

Accra, June 14, GNA - Mrs Justice Georgina Wood, Chief Justice (CJ), on Monday called for fruitful collaboration between Ghana's Judiciary and National Bar Association (NBA) of United States of America (USA) to meet the common aspirations of their people.

She said Ghana and the US were common law countries and could draw inspiration and learn from each other in their endeavour to promote the r ule of law and good governance in their respective countries.

Mrs Justice Wood made the call when a delegation from the NBA paid a

courtesy call on her in Accra.

NBA is made up of judges and lawyers mostly African-Americans who se ek to promote civil rights and justice with over 44,000 members across the U S. Mrs Justice Wood said the visit of the group to Ghana was another confirmation of the enduring bond of friendship that existed between the two nations.

She expressed appreciation that the association had actively support ed the nomination and confirmation of many African-Americans currently occupying key political and judicial positions in the US. "Your support, I believe, will serve as an active encouragement to young African-Americans to take education serious," she said. She said their achievements in promoting legislation to improve the social and economic conditions of Americans were quite impressive and inspirational.

Mrs Justice Wood urged the NBA to remain committed to the advancemen t of the civil and political rights of all American citizens and residents. She said the international affiliates meeting established 20 years a go to connect with bar associations through the African Diaspora and in othe r parts of the world had maintained cordial relations with Ghana since its first visit in 1995. Mrs Justice Wood said the judiciary in Ghana in particular had usefu l lessons to draw from the American experience in its earnest desire to uph old and defend the Constitution and laws of Ghana to deepen democracy and the

rule of law.

Ms Mavis Thompson, President of NBA, commended the Chief Justice for

the warm hospitality accorded the delegation since their arrival in the country. She said NBA was the oldest association of professionals that sought to promote access to justice and civil rights.

Ms Thompson said the association was also engaged in promoting socia l and economic wellbeing of the under privileged in the society. Mr Justice Samuel Marful-Sau, an Appeal Court Judge with Oversight Responsibility for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), said introductio n of ADR in Ghana was to promote access to justice. He said the ADR mechanism had been effective in settling numerous ca ses which could have delayed in the normal court process. Mr Justice Marful-Sau said out of 5,338 cases referred to ADR, 3,87 1 cases representing 71 per cent had been settled successfully. Later, Mrs Justice Wood presented a plaque from the Judicial Servic e to Ms Thompson while she honoured the CJ with a certificate and invitatio n to be an Honorary Member of the association. The delegation presented legal books and dictionary for their new reference library to the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and invited Mr Frank

Beechem, President of GBA to be an Honorary Member of NBA.