Human rights/labour courts operational in October

Fajai (W/R) Sept. 3, GNA - Mrs Justice Georgina T. Wood, Chief Justice of Ghana said the country will by October this year, have its first human rights and labour related courts in one of the high courts. Mrs Wood made this disclosure at the opening of the fourth triennial conference of the Judicial Service Staff Association of Ghana (JUSAG) at Fijai near Takoradi on Monday.

It was on the theme; "Uniting for better working conditions and success of the judicial reforms".

Mrs Wood said hard work, honesty and integrity must be the yardstick for improved wages and better conditions of service. She said judicial reforms were intended to eliminate the systematic institutional failures or weaknesses within the legal system, increase citizens' access to justice, enhance transparency and accountability in governance.

Mrs Wood said it was sad that some court officials have occasionally delayed cases either due to pure bias, or in order to solicit bribes from litigants.

She said some have also used the archaic equipment as an excuse to deny litigants, their constitutional right to expeditious and fair trial and this must stop. Mrs Wood said general attitude to work did not befit the judicial service as a service provider to court users.

"If we recognised our roles as service providers, our attitude and quality of service should be remarkably different," she stressed. Mrs Wood expressed her regret at the shabby, unfavourable and humiliating treatment meted out to lawyers, litigants and their witnesses, adding, such acts if reversed, would restore confidence in the people who patronise our services.

She stressed that the judiciary has an obligation to serve the general public at all times with truth and honesty and "by working with us, you are placed in a responsible position, and you must help to preserve and enhance the integrity of the judicial system, and not engage in dishonourable acts".

Mrs Wood said the judicial service will soon introduce a code of conduct for its staff.

She said a series of training in integrity and ethics will be organised for all staff members, adding that, members of JUSAG needed to be prepared to adapt to the new changes.

Mrs Wood therefore urged all members of staff to perform their duties with diligence at all times, encourage one another to serve the public faithfully, and stay away from criminal activities.

"Promoting integrity starts with confronting dishonest behaviour and holding members of staff accountable, and those with oversight responsibilities should not allow name calling to paralyse them into inaction".

Mr Kwesi Blay, Deputy Western Regional Minister said there was the need for both the judiciary and members of JUSAG to work closely to promote the ideals of freedom, justice, equality and the rule of law at all levels of the judicial system.

He said without cohesion, neither the judiciary nor the JUSAG will be able to fight to overcome some of the challenges that confronted them in their work.

Mr Blay said the rapid changes in the technological world demands that all personnel of JUSAG became abreast with modern trends and this would result in job-efficiency.

Mr Blay stressed that backbiting, division, and an unconcerned attitude to work could thwart the efforts of the reforms instituted recently.

Mr Rockson Idris, Acting National President of JUSAG said the association had managed to secured five acres plot of land for a JUSAG complex, while it had assisted members to secure lands for private development.

He appealed for a realistic scheme of service and capacity building for its members.

Mr Idris urged members of JUSAG to work hard and reverse the sunken image of the service.