A Private Legal Practitioner, Lawyer Frank Agyapong, says about 90 percent of magistrate courts in Ghana will be shut down if the Chief Justice were to carry out her threat of closing down courts in distressed states.
His comment comes after the Chief Justice (CJ), Mrs Sophia Akuffo threatened to close down the Kasoa District Court and all other courts which are not purposely designed for the Judiciary by the end of this year.
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The CJ made the remarks when she visited three courts at Agona Swedru as part of her four-day tour of the Central Region to familiarise herself with problems and challenges facing the judicial system in the region.
According to lawyer Agyapong, many cases in Ghana are delayed due to the deplorable conditions of the courts and lack of resources.
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He believes 90 percents of magistrate courts in the country will be shut down if the Chief Justice sincerely embarks on such a mission.
He made the statement in an interview with Afia Pokua on Adom TV’s legal education show, Me Wo Case Anaa.
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Meanwhile, another lawyer on the show, Emmanuel Broni Bediako, said it was not the duty of the Judicial Service to provide court building, adding that their responsibility is to dispense justice speedily.
He said the district assemblies have to provide infrastructure for the judicial service because judges represent the CJ in the assemblies.
Comment:The cj is embarking on a purposeful tour which other leaders must emulate. She does not want to sleep under air con and assume that everything is ok with the judiciary! kudos Mrs Cj.