By Bright Ntramah
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has touted government achievements in providing infrastructure for the Judiciary describing it as unprecedented.
He said the Government of Ghana is committed to supporting the judiciary in every way necessary to ensure that justice is not only served but also seen to be served.
Addressing the 18th Africa Summit of the International Association of Women Judges in Accra the President said ” We are determined to improve judicial infrastructure, providing resources, and ensuring the safety and security of judges who often face risks in the line of their duties.”
He noted that since the assumption of office in 2017, government has made unprecedented progress in the provision of court buildings and residences for judges around the country.
In 2020, government set out to construct one hundred courthouses with residential facilities nationwide. ” As at February 2024, seventy-nine courthouses had been successfully inaugurated, and are in use at various sites around the country President Akufo-Addo stated”.
The remaining twenty-one projects are at various stages of completion, and are expected to be completed and inaugurated soon he added. In addition, he stated that one hundred and twenty-one residential units have been constructed for judges throughout the country.
Further, twenty fully furnished 4-bedroom units, together with social amenities, have been constructed for Justices of the Court of Appeal in Kumasi.
“The Project is not yet complete, but I can say we have done enough to try to address the perennial problem of insufficient court infrastructure in Ghana”
IAWJ SUMMIT
The President stated that presence of women at all levels of the judicial system not only enhances the perspective within the judiciary, but also strengthens public confidence in the justice delivery system. ” I know this because I have had the honour of appointing, since becoming President in 2017, many women to all the various levels of our judicial ladder, including two (2) to the highest office, that of Chief Justice, of which the most recent is the current Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Gertrude Torkornoo”. Women judges President Akufo-Addo noted can represent the spirit of justice, and the enduring promise of equality within the judiciary. They can bring unique insights and life experiences to the bench, enriching the interpretation and application of the law.
This conference, under the critical theme “Combating Negative Cultural Practices in Contemporary Times – The Role of Women Judges,” highlights pressing issues, and also shines a light on the path forward through judicial engagement and innovation.
” We gather here as witnesses to the transformative power of law and justice.”
As a former legal practitioner and Attorney-General, President Akufo-Addo believed in the law as a dynamic instrument of change, one that should protect the inherent dignity of every individual.
He said Ghana’s, commitment to the rule of law is steadfast. It is one that transcends political ideologies and administrations, for it is the bedrock of our democracy and the guardian of our freedoms. The rule of law he explained means that everyone, from the ordinary citizen to the highest officials of the land, is subject to the same laws. ” That is the true meaning of the concept of equality before the law. It is essential in fostering a climate of fairness, predictability and stability, which are critical for the functioning of a healthy, progressive society. “
He said as the focus is turned towards eradicating negative cultural practices that have long hindered progress, especially among women and girls, the role of women judges becomes undeniably pivotal. ” Women judges across Africa and the globe bring unique viewpoints and strengths to the judiciary.”
He said the theme of the conference calls on each all especially women judges, to leverage their collective legal acumen to dismantle barriers to justice. Negative cultural practices are not just an affront to the victims, but are a blemish on our collective human conscience.
“As judges and upholders of the law, you have the power to redefine norms, and set precedents that protect the vulnerable and marginalised.”