Judges must be well paid - Amua Sekyi

Mr Justice Kweku E. Amua Sekyi, a retired Supreme Court Judge, on Monday called for the re-appraisal of the role of judges in the body politic and the creation of the conditions necessary for the effective and efficient exercise of their function.

Speaking on “consolidating democratic governance in Ghana by further strengthening institutional capacity” at the 15th Speaker's Forum, Mr Justice Amua Sekyi said, "judges should be well paid so as to make them less open to corrupt influences.

The presentation focused on the executive, the legislature, the judiciary and the Attorney -General's office as some of the institutions that could make the government accountable to the people within the rule of law to promote the country's fledgling democracy.

The forum was organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) with sponsorship from the UNDP.

Mr Justice Amua Sekyi said judges should also be assured of a comfortable old age when they retire.

He said, "where as in 1970 the Chief Justice and the judges of the Superior Courts were the highest paid public officers, today they are not. Other interest groups have succeeded in overtaking them in terms of earnings".

He was quick to add, "there are many judicial officers who, however, low their earnings, will never succumb to the temptations of taking bribes.

"There are, however, some who will find it difficult to resist financial inducements to pervert the course of justice".

He said until the economy improved to enable the judiciary to be well paid, to make corrupt practices unattractive, a mechanism must be devised to expose the corrupt ones.

Mr Justice Amua Sekyi said a law should be passed to protect those who would give information on judges to the Chief Justice from prosecution.

Whether the condition of service of the judiciary was improved or not the nation demands that they must be firm and morally upright, he observed.

"Lawyers who have been guilty of offences involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude should not be permitted to find their way into the ranks of the judiciary."

The Speaker, Mr Peter Ala Adjetey deplored the poor state of courthouses and poor accommodation for judges and called for infrastructure development of the judiciary.

He said if the judiciary is considered as the basis of peace and good governance, then everything possible should be done to improve the physical image of the judicial service.