Let’s uphold principles of equity, impartiality – Chief Justice

Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, the Chief Justice, has reminded the judiciary of the need to uphold the principles of equity and remain impartial to maintain the people's confidence in the justice delivery system.

She said the judicial service staff must also make the premises of the various courts friendlier to the people accessing justice and strengthen the justice delivery system.

The Chief Justice gave the reminder in a speech read on her behalf by Justice Gabriel Nene Kwao Mate-Teye of the Sunyani High Court at the inauguration of a new courthouse for the Fiapre Circuit Court in the Sunyani West Municipality.

Mrs. Torkornoo advised the judiciary staff to endeavour to "treat anybody entering judicial premises with the utmost respect and dignity and to make the environment more welcoming for them."

The Sunyani West Municipal Assembly funded the construction of the courthouse to facilitate justice delivery in the municipality.

Mrs. Torkornoo said the staff of the judiciary ought to embody the core values of the judicial service, underscoring the need for them to ensure that everybody accesses justice delivery without obstructions.

She said equity, transparency, and impartiality remained hallmarks of the judiciary, advised the staff to also protect the rights and liberties of the people, and further entreated them to work with humility and maintain their integrity as well.

"Your conduct, both inside and outside the court, has the power to shape lives, communities, and the fabric of society," she said.

Mrs. Torkornoo expressed appreciation to the Municipal Assembly for funding the courthouse, saying it represented a steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law.

Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister, cautioned the youth against the get-rich-quick syndrome, popularly known as'sakawa', and urged them to live decent lives in order not to find trouble for themselves.

She also urged parents to monitor the movements of their adolescent children and endeavour to provide them with their adolescent needs so that they would not be lured into secret and occult societies.

She warned the youth that the law would not spare those who find wealth through illegal means, saying the "sakawa practice will not end well for you but rather ruin your future."

She commended the Municipal Assembly for the courthouse, saying it would greatly help facilitate and strengthen the justice delivery system in the municipality.