Mountcrest University college will by the end of next year teach law in Ghanaian languages, in an effort to bridge the gap in poor interpretation when cases are heard in the local dialect.
This has become necessary because some persons have been wrongly convicted or acquitted due to poor interpretation, a situation which is seriously hampering Justice delivery.
Founder of Mouncrest University, Kwaku Ansa-Asare announced this during the inauguration of a new council for the University at Lartey Akuapim.
A number of members on the council agreed with the interpretation challenge in Justice delivery in the country and shared their experiences. However, one by a former chief Justice, Justice Wiredu and shared by a judge at the Supreme Court, Justice Samuel Kwame Asiedu stood out.
“Justice Wiredu was then sitting on a criminal trial in tamale. He had an interpreter to translate the accused person’s local language to English because Justice Wiredu did not understand the language. It seemed the interpreter knew the accused person prior to the case and would misinterpret what the accused person said. However, there was a man sitting in the courtroom who understood the language and noticed what the interpreter was doing. He notified the judge after sitting closed. Justice Wiredu brought in a new interpreter the following day and lo and behold the first interpreter was misleading the court.’
Justice Kwame Asiedu said either way the accused person may have been convicted wrongly or acquitted wrongly.He said the initiative will be necessary to improve justice delivery.
Founder of Mountcrest University College, Mr Kwaku Ansa-Asare, emphasized that it is important to bridge this gap to ensure that justice is truly served. He said justice delivery in Ghana is at the crossroads.
“You go to court and the translation is so violent. Sometimes by violent twisting and pounding of the facts innocent people get convicted and even sentenced to death. The time has come to give the opportunity to our young and intelligent linguistic wizards who can rattle their mother tongue admirably but have a challenge speaking English.’
Mr Ansa-Asare said by October next year, Mountcrest will align the teaching of law with Ghanaian languages with a pilot programme in Law and Akan. The Akan languages will include Fante, Nzema, , Akuapim Twi, Asante Twi, Akyem and Bono.
The new 14-member council of Mouncrest University College is chaired by Prof Steve Amisah.
Other members include Irene Ansa-Asare, Prof. William Gariba Akanwawiak, Prof. (Mrs.) Chrissie Stancie Abaidoo, Prof. Helen Yitah Representing Knust, Prof. Charles Owu-Ewie, Bishop Felix Odei Annancy, Mrs. Monica Ankrah, Dr. Mrs. Beth Offei-Awuku, Mr. Ekow Afedzie Member, Mr. Stephen Fiifi Boafo, Mr. Nelson Noble Amedewonu, Mr. Seyram Kofi Seyram, Mrs. Amofa.
Among the responsibilities of the new council is to ensure that the college receives a presidential charter to operate as a fully-fledged university as well as receive accreditation for its master of nursing and midwifery, Business administration and LLM Programmes which have been on hold by KNUST.
Chairman of the Council Prof Steve Amisah affirmed the council’s commitment to achieve the targets.
The occasion was also used to outdoor a new rector of the school, Irene Ansa-Asare, who is the daughter of the founder.
