ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE LADY CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, JUSTICE GERTRUDE SACKEY TORKORNOO, ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE DISTRICT COURT, AKWATIA, ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2023
Source: judicial_service_of_ghana
Date: 2023-08-04

ADDRESS BY THE HONOURABLE LADY CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, JUSTICE GERTRUDE SACKEY TORKORNOO, ON THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE DISTRICT COURT, AKWATIA, ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2023 My Lords, Judges and Magistrates, Hon. Member of Parliament, Hon. Henry Boakye Yiadom, Mp for Akwatia Constituency Daasebre Dr. Nyarko Asumadu Appiah, Chief of Wenchi Osabarima Oware Asare Pinkro III – Chief of Apinamang Osabarima Owusu Nkatia II – Chief of Takrowase Barima Kwasi Agyarkwa Annor – Chief of Boadu Nananom District Chief Executive, Denkyembour District Assembly, Mr. Seth Birikorang Ofosu District Coordinating Director Members of the Bar Distinguished Invited Guests The Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to be here with you, in this famous, ancient commercial town – Akwatia, to inaugurate a new District Court for its inhabitants and surrounding communities. I thank all the distinguished personalities herein present for joining us to share in this significant occasion. A purpose built court is a welcome development for every developing town. In recent times, much attention has been drawn to the state of the physical infrastructure in which justice is dispensed in this country. It has been heart-warming to observe the expressions of concern and solidarity that have come from members of the general public who have appreciated the effort to provide befitting facilities not only for the well-being of those who work in court buildings but for the growth of development and delivery of justice around the country. One of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that all nations are tasked to pursue, is access to justice for all citizens. Another Sustainable Development Goals is the building of effective and accountable institutions at all levels. This requires that the nation commits to the pursuit of justice and equal rights for all and the provision of the physical resources with which to wage this pursuit. Indeed, all the reforms that the Judicial Service of Ghana has embarked on in the last twenty years, including the computerization and automation of the courts cannot be fully realized without adequate physical infrastructure. The challenge is especially acute at the district level, where shabby infrastructure can lead to loss of confidence and reduction in the use of the tools of justice. These are challenges that must be addressed if the country is to provide the necessary guarantees of peace, security and investor confidence. The Judiciary has to play its part in ensuring economic growth of the nation. It is for this reason that I express my extreme delight that the Denkyembour District Assembly has taken on this challenge frontally in constructing this Circuit Court to address the justice needs of the people of Akwatia and its environs. Ladies and gentlemen, it has long been the belief of the third arm of government that the administration of justice cannot be left to lawyers and judges alone. The law is so important and so vital to nationhood that all must take a keen interest in its administration. If we are to survive and thrive as a nation state, then justice delivery must be done well, and the law must be applied to all and be policed by all. That all of you are here today is evidence that here in Akwatia, all actors in the community are ready to do their part in justice delivery. This building and all that is in it, has only been possible through the immense commitment and sacrifices of the Denkyembour District Assembly. The Judiciary accepts that justice delivery must be brought to the doorsteps of citizens, so that they are able to have recourse to it with the minimum of effort. Now that justice delivery has been brought closer, I wish to urge all citizens to take advantage of its presence and powers to right wrong and correct offences. As citizens, the courts are our most potent avenue for the resolution of conflicts. It is the cornerstone of all modern societies. Happily, here in Ghana, we find that more and more people are applying to the courts to address their grievances. This is how the peace that we are so proud to have in the country can be maintained. This court house being inaugurated today is part of the nationwide construction of one hundred Courthouses programme embarked upon by Government in 2020 to improve judicial infrastructure. This modern Court facility has adequate office space for the various Court functions, washrooms for Staff and Court Users, Male and Female Cells, Solar power for essential load, standby Generator, and Borehole to provide sustainable water supply for the washroom and electric fencing to boost security. The facility also has a dedicated space for Court Connected ADR, and is equipped with a Direct Transcription System (DTS) to facilitate the adjudication process. With the inauguration of this District Court, it is our expectation that the justice needs of the Denkyembour District and its surrounding communities will be served in a stronger manner as cases will be disposed of with a greater sense of urgency through the complement of human effort with ICT. The Judicial Service will also ensure that this building and the facilities in it are regularly maintained so they can continue to deliver optimum service to justify the significant investment that has been made by the Birim North District Assembly. This newly constructed District Court, will not be as useful if the administrative Staff do not effectively assist the Magistrate to function effectively. To this end, I will urge the Staff who would be working in this Court to exhibit a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties. Integrity and Independence of the Judiciary cannot and must not be compromised. I would like to remind Staff that most stakeholders who patronize the services of courts are often stressed. They need assistance and help as they turn to the courts for justice. It is my hope that this court which serves as a first point of contact would present a new and friendlier face of justice in the Denkyembour District. In concluding my address, I would like to place on record once again, our gratitude to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for the successful implementation of the project and the District Assemblies Common Fund and its Administrator, Mrs. Irene Naa Torshie Addo Lartey, whose drive, enthusiasm and leadership has made it possible for us to be here today. Our gratitude also goes to the Denkyembour District Assembly for making land available for this project and to all our other distinguished invited guests for taking time out of their busy schedule to be here with us today. It is my pleasure at this juncture to declare the District Court, Akwatia duly inaugurated. May this Court be a blessing to all, especially its users and may they find and experience true justice in this court. I thank you all for your attention. Prev Next