HFC Bank to collect revenue for Judicial Service

Accra, June 27, GNA - The Judicial Service on Tuesday said the selection of HFC Bank by the Bank of Ghana to collect revenue on behalf of the Service was not deliberately introduced to inconvenience anyone in the administration of justice.

The Service said the pilot programme was introduced to ensure honesty and transparency in the Service's revenue collection and filing of court processes.

In a statement signed by Mrs Regina Apotsi, Judicial Secretary, in Accra said the process was also to maximize revenue collection and ensure that services match up with its projection for each year. The statement said depending on the success of the pilot project, it would be expanded to all the regions and districts. The Service, however, apologized to the public, Lawyers and Litigants for any inconvenience.

"We are grateful for some criticisms, which have appeared in the media and, which had contributed to streamlining the processes, which were initiated barely a week ago."

The Service said it was prepared to continue to receive suggestions that would improve the new system.

The Judicial Service on June 19, 2006 introduced a new revenue collection on a pilot basis at the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the High Courts and Circuit Courts at the 28th February Road Courts and the Regional Tribunals in Accra.

Following series of the consultation with the Bank of Ghana (BOG) and the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, a committee was set up to work on the modalities for the new revenue collection system. BoG selected HFC Bank to collect the Services' revenue. HFC opened a branch on the premises of the Supreme Court to solely collect fees, fines, deposits and allowances among other things. The Lawyers, Litigants and the public had criticised the system because of inconveniences associated with it.