Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo speaking at the event
The people of Mampong and its surrounding towns in the Ashanti Region and beyond can now boast of a High Court building worthy of its name that reflects the authority and dignity of not only the judiciary but also the state.
The new one-story building with two courtrooms, which will serve Mampong and surrounding towns like Juaben, Effiduase Asokore, Nsuta, Ejura Sekyedumase, and Agona, has adequate offices to accommodate two registries.
It comes complete with two judge's chambers, offices for cashiers and bailiffs, a docket room, an ADR room, and washrooms for staff and court users.
It also has a five-kVA solar power facility in addition to a 40-kVA generator set as backup energy support and a borehole to guarantee regular water supply.
Inaugurating the edifice, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, described access to justice as a critical value to the nation, stressing the need for all citizens to have access to it, especially the vulnerable.
"Without justice, there can be no order; without order, there can be no peace; without peace, there can be no prosperity. And so for every nation that seeks to go forward, it is critical that access to justice be given to all and sundry, especially the vulnerable."
"This edifice, which has a long history, is structured in such a way that the physically impaired can have access to it. It contains all the facilities necessary for justice administration in modern times," she said.
The Chief Justice entreated the staff of the Judicial Service who will be working there to eschew any form of malpractice and work with integrity.
"The judicial service that functions with integrity is the kind of service that the people of Ghana deserve. This is a service in which bailiffs do not exploit citizens. It is a service that registrars do not exploit. It is a service in which justice delivery is done in an environment of transparency, propriety, independence, competence, diligence, and appropriateness," she said.
Chief Justice Torkornoo paid tribute to her predecessors, Chief Justices Sophia Akuffo and Anin Yeboah, for their respective roles in making the opening of the new High Court building in Mampong a reality.
She also commended the Paramount Chief of Mampong, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, and the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) Administrator, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, for their immeasurable support.
The Paramount Chief and President of the Mampong Traditional Council, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, in his remarks, appealed to the Chief Justice to post adequate staff to work in the newly inaugurated edifice while asking for more courts with the required logistics, especially a Circuit Court.
"I would therefore like to appeal to your good office to provide Mampong with a Circuit Court in addition. The Mampong Courts serve a very wide geographical area, as far as the Ejura, Atebubu, and Kajeji areas. With the provision of a Circuit Court, therefore, other lower cases could be handled to ease the pressure on the Magistrate Court as it is now," he said.
The Administrator of the DACF, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, thanked the Executive and Legislative arms of government for making it possible to build these courthouses all over the country, adding that "this is one of the greatest achievements of the Fund."
The Mampong Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Thomas Appiah Kubi, was full of praise for the Mamponghene for his generosity in releasing the land for the construction of this edifice and hoped it would be well maintained.
The Member of Parliament for Mampong, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, also expressed his deepest appreciation to all role players for their immense contribution towards the building of the new courthouse.
Accompanying the Chief Justice was the Judicial Secretary, H/L Justice Cyra Pamela C. A. Koranteng (JA), as well as other members of the Bench.
The event was also graced by the Queen Mother of Mampong, Nana Agyakoma Difie II, heads of institutions and agencies, the clergy, members of the Mampong Municipal Assembly, and the community.
