Judiciary not received budgetary allocation ‘for over a year’

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to, as a matter of urgency, ensure the release of budgetary allocation due the judiciary. According to the Association, the “inadequate” allocation has not been received for over a year. This was contained in a statement released by the Association on Wednesday after a tour of the country’s regions by national executives. “The National Executives were conducted round the living quarters of some of the judges and it was a sorry sight,” the statement jointly signed by National President Nene Amegatcher and National Secretary Justin Amenuvor observed. It said working conditions are “equally regrettable”.

The statement noted that though the judiciary is supposed to be financially autonomous, it has continually been begging government for annual subventions.

“This has resulted in a near breakdown of the justice delivery system to the extent that basic working tools such as stationery are in some cases not available.”

GBA, therefore, called on Parliament to increase the internally generated funds from 15 per cent to 75 per cent and asks President Mahama to ensure the release of the annual subvention.

“These measures advocated must be treated under the certificate of urgency by both the Executive and Parliament to avoid total collapse of the administration of justice with its attendant repercussions on the nation.”