A new circuit court building has been inaugurated for the Atiwa East District in the Eastern Region at the district capital, Anyinam, to enhance the delivery of justice for all manner of persons.
Funded through the District Assemblies Common Fund, the court is expected to handle cases within the district and its environs.
At a ceremony to inaugurate the facility last Wednesday, the Supervising High Court Judge, Justice George Akrofa Addae, who represented the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, said the new court building was part of the Judicial Service’s vision to improve citizens’ access to quality service by building courts close to the people.
Vision
Justice Addae stated that the new court building was in fulfilment of the strategic vision of the Judicial Service to enhance the citizens’ access to quality justice delivery by putting up courts close to users who hitherto travelled long distances to access justice.
He also sensitised and interacted with the inhabitants after the official opening of the facility.
Justice Addae further educated the people on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), as well as the jurisdictions of the court and the role of the Legal Aid Commission in the justice delivery system.
He said the establishment of the court reflected the determination of the government, as well as the Judicial Service, to ensure that Justice was accessible to all, regardless of their social status, wealth or background.
Ambassadors
Justice Addae implored the staff of the new facility to give real meaning to the construction of the court and at the same time remain focused and confident, to inspire the trust of the people.
“I urge the staff of the Judicial Service, whose work will give meaning to the construction of this court, to see themselves as ambassadors of the service.
“People will interpret what justice is by how you conduct yourself. Let all who come here feel welcome and reassured that the law is here to work for and with them”, he said.
Justice Addae stated that the facility formed part of 100 court buildings being financed by the government to address the deplorable state of the country’s courts and also increase the court’s availability to serve inhabitants throughout the country.
“This circuit court today is going to offer our staff a good working environment with all the modern facilities you can think of, to enable them to deliver justice to all manner of persons”, he indicated.
While encouraging the inhabitants to make use of the services of the court, he also cautioned the judges, “Don’t take anything in the form of money or material gains from the people you are serving, since that will land you in trouble.”
Good maintenance
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atiwa East, Kwabena Pannin Nkansah, who was happy about the facility, assured the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service that his outfit and the assembly would adopt a good maintenance culture to make it look very new at all times.
He advised the people not to take the law into their own hands, but to report all cases to the police to facilitate due process and ensure fairness.
The Adehyehene, Nana Frimpong Nkansah, who represented the Chief of Anyinam, Barima Okogyeasua Bani Dudu, expressed appreciation to the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service, as well as the government, for putting up the facility.
Writer’s email: haruna.wunpini@graphic.com.gh
