Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, Omanhene of the Essikado Traditional Area has called for a transformation of the justice systems to reflect the Ghanaian heritage.
He said reforming and making the laws in the justice delivery system to match the cultural norms and value could advance development and ensure more peace and security in the society.
Nana Kobina Nketsiah V, said this when the Chief Justice, Justice Sophia Akuffo paid a courtesy call on him at his Palace to mark the beginning of a five-day working tour of courts facilities in the Western Region.
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The visit would enable the Chief Justice to gather information in her bid to reform the judicial service during her tenure.
He said over concentration on foreign laws and practices to govern the country continued to destroy the moral fibre of the Ghanaian society.
The Paramount Chief reminded Ghanaians, particularly the judiciary, on the need to uphold truth, do away with corrupt practices and rather act as stewards appointed by God to give earthily judgement.”You need to desist from anything that does not glorify God”, he added.
Her Ladyship Justice Sophia Akuffo said the court by court assessment being undertaken by her outfit was to gather information to aid in planning and improving both infrastructure and human resources of the judicial system.
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She admitted that the courts facilities around the country must undergo structural transformation to befit their work as “God’s delegate to uphold and administer Justice”.
Justice Sophia Akuffo said the local government system, though made provisions for the assemblies to provide district courts infrastructures, little had been done in that regard over the years, which had contributed to the deplorable court rooms and infrastructure and prayed that the relationship would be strengthened and each play its expected role to improve upon the sector.
“Already, the Director of Estate has written to almost all the assemblies to remind them of this duty and I trust that going forward they would help us in creating the model court structure I am dreaming to live as a legacy”, she added.
“Currently, we are evaluating most of the Regional courts, particularly the magistrate and the circuit courts, and by April, a proposal would be sent to the judicial council on the need to merge the two to improve justice delivery at the district level”.
The Chief Justice would tour selected facilities within the Daboase, Shama, Takoradi, Axim, Tarkwa, Sefwi-Wiawso Bibiani and the northern part of the Region.
She would also meet with the Ghana Bar Association, MMDCEs and Service Commanders.
Source: ghananewsagency.org