Judicial Service gets Danish help for reform

Accra, Dec. 12, GNA - The Chief Justice (CJ), Mr Justice George Kingsley Acquah said on Tuesday that one of the extensive reformations of the Judiciary was to support the Government in improving democratic governance.

This, he said, could be done by providing a judicial system that was transparent; accountable; fair and above all a service that all Ghanaians, regardless of their status could have equal access to. Mr Justice Acquah said: "Some of the principles that are embodied within the notion of access to justice are defending justice; the right of individuals and communities to an accessible, dependable fair and impartial justice system; monitoring and denouncing of abuse of any form."

The CJ was inaugurating a Steering Committee of the Judicial Service, under the Danish Support to good governance and human rights programme at the conference room of the Supreme Court building in Accra. He also commissioned two vehicles, shortly after the inauguration. Mr Justice Acquah said: "Since the commencement of our Judicial Reform Programme, we have been able to successfully institute several measures to ensure that our justice delivery is open and accountable, and that justice is brought to the door step of the poor and marginalized groups within our society."

He said that while the Judiciary was pursuing its reform and modernization programme, the Government of Denmark in consultation with the Government of Ghana, entered into a strategic partnership for funding, to support good governance and human rights.

The Royal Danish Embassy, this year approved 100,100 dollars rpt 100,100 dollars for the Institutional Strengthening of the Public Complaints and Courts Inspectorate Unit of the Judicial Service of Ghana, as part of the Service's efforts to inculcate in the staff the values of anti corruption, transparency and accountability. Mr Justice F. Kusi-Appiah, an Appeal Court Judge, is the Chairman of the Committee; Mr Kwesi Ainuson, National Coordinator, Projects and Programmes, Office of the Chief Justice; Mrs Sandra Cofie, Director, Judicial Reform Development and Implementation; Mrs Jennifer Doodo, Circuit Court Judge are members.

Others are Mr Yaw Twumasi Ankrah, Magistrate / District Court Judge, Dodowa; Mr Abraham Attabrah, Project Accountant; a nominee of the Royal Danish Embassy and/or their representative; and a Project Officer of the Judicial Service, who is a Member/ Secretary. He charged the members to work assiduously to ensure that the objectives of the Danish Government in supporting the Judicial Service were met.

Mr Justice Kusi-Appiah, who spoke on behalf of members, stated: "We shall meticulously guide the usage of Danish Funds to the Judicial Service through positive action plans, effective monitoring and evaluation of the said Funds."

He observed that the Judiciary as an arm of government, which was vested with the responsibility of protecting fundamental human rights and maintenance of law and order through its resolution of disputes, needed financial support to complement the effort of the Government. This, he said, would enable the Judiciary to fulfil its vision and mission of promoting smooth and efficient administration of justice to all manner of persons without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, so as to create an enabling environment for good governance.