Kufuor pays tribute to Justice Acquah

Accra, April 27, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday urged Ghanaians not to let the demise of the Chief Justice, Mr Justice George Kingsley Acquah diminish the commitment of the nation towards the reformation of the processes for the administration of justice. He said the various reforms and initiative of Justice Acquah had not only transformed the judiciary, but had gone a long way in projecting the image of Ghana to the international community. This was in a tribute read on behalf of the President by Mr Joe Ghartey, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, at the burial service of the late Chief Justice.

Mr Justice Acquah who died on March 25, 2007 at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra was buried at the Osu cemetery on Friday. President Kufuor described the late CJ as a man committed to the rule of law and keenly conscious of the fact that "justice delayed is justice denied", saying his prime objectives were to ensure that justice became available to all Ghanaians.

He said it was for this reason that Justice Acquah spared no effort to ensure that the legal system was rid of the various archaic laws, complex court rules and administrative procedures, some of which predated the independence of Ghana.

"The High Court Rules which had been in force since 1954 and were deemed outdated were revised under his tenure," President Kufuor said. He said Justice Acquah vigorously pursued the introduction and expansion in the administration of justice. "This, no doubt, was among the reasons why he expanded the automated fast track court system from its pilot phase in Accra to the regions."

President Kufuor said another impressive heritage that Justice Acquah had left for the country was the establishment of a Court of Appeal Complex in Kumasi.

This, he noted, would reduce the workload of the only Court of Appeal in Ghana, located in Accra.

"The construction of the Court of Appeal Complex in Kumasi, I am informed by the Region Minister, was progressing fast because Justice Acquah had warned the contractors that he would not accept any delay.

"Justice Acquah's demise should not in any way diminish our commitment to this and many other laudable initiatives which were commenced during his rather brief but clearly impressive tenure of office."

Urging the Judiciary and the Judicial Service to continue with the achievements of the late CJ, President Kufuor said that would be the best tribute to the memory of Mr Justice Acquah.