World Bank To Support Courts Automation

The World Bank has agreed to provide ?14 billion to support the automation of the 10 regional High Courts in Ghana.

The Chief Justice, Mr Justice E.K. Wiredu, who made this known at Elmina, said the project is expected to be executed within 6 weeks. He said apart from the courts which are being run on a pilot basis in Accra, more of such courts will be opened in Accra, Kumasi and Sekondi-Takoradi and will be fully automated while the remaining high courts are to be equipped with computers and recording systems. The chief justice was giving the keynote address on the topic: Justice on the Agenda,” at the opening session of the Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) at Elimina on Monday.

Mr Justice Wiredu described the pilot phase of the Fast Track Project as very successful and added that these are all part of the reform and modernization within the Judiciary aimed at reducing to the barest delays in the dispensation of justice. He said contracts for the refurbishment of the courts have also been awarded and equipment for the High Courts of Justice in Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi and Tamale is already in the country.

He said DANIDA has also agreed to modernize and automate six district courts in the three northern regions. Mr Justice Wiredu said the Judicial Service has also set up an Institute of continuing Judicial Education to ensure the systematic training of judges and supporting administrative staff.

A consultant from the US is already in the country to help start an 18-month course in court reporting using stenography machines to help improve efficiency in the judicial system. The Chief Justice complained about the many reports pertaining to the perversion of justice by lawyers and judges and stressed the need for all to change. He stated that “a judiciary which is controlled by any influence, other than the law is a danger to society”, adding that, “wherever justice is a commodity on sale on the market, then our independence or freedom and our rights are compromised.”

He said the Judiciary Council is pursuing policies, which would rid it of bad ones and make working on the bench comfortable and dignifying, thereby helping to change the negative public perception of judges. He called on the GBA to re-assess itself and to play effectively its role in national reconstruction.

The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Nana Akufo-Addo, said Ghanaians have made it clear that they support democracy and stated that the government is committed to building a peaceful and prosperous society devoid of anarchy and lawlessness.