President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has hailed the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Irene Naa Torshie Addo for her efficiency and ingenuity in the government’s initiative to provide court infrastructure across the country.
The hard work she put in, he said, has seen the 90 courts and accompanying accommodation for judges originally contemplated by the government translates to 120 courts and 150 bungalows.
Speaking at the commissioning of a residential complex for judges in Kumasi on Monday 17th October, 2022, the President expressed the conviction the massive infrastructure development will motivate the judiciary to work even harder to promote justice and the rule of law in the country.
According to him, since assuming the reins of governance, the NPP administration has introduced a number of policy measures to help break the technology gap in the administration of justice.
He said, “We launched the e-justice system designed to leverage technology in the delivery of justice and we are also addressing the challenge posed by the inadequate number of courts in various parts of the country resulting in citizens travelling long distances to gain access to court and thereby weakening the Rule of Law.”
“I assure you that we will do more as demanded by the Chief Justice and we will continue to implement policies to advance the Rule of Law and thereby restore the confidence of the people and shore up the nation’s reputation as a country governed by the rule of law,” he stated.
According to him, Ghanaians have resolved to build a united nation grounded on democratic values and attachment to the Rule of Law and stressed it is the desire of the state to maintain this dream even at these difficult times.
Ghana, he said, has come a long way towards realizing this goal and expressed confidence that with the spirit of reconciliation, fairness, integrity and hard work the best days of the country lie ahead.
He said, “Together we are laying the platform for the evolution of a new Ghanaian civilization that will give true meaning to the foundational values of freedom and justice on which the nation was conceived.”
President Akufo-Addo averred that during his first term in office the government took note of the inadequate number of courts in various parts of the country.
Citing examples he indicated that there is no court between Adjabeng and Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region and in Kumasi there is also no court between Adum and Asante Bekwai and Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
Judges, he said, are also compelled to live in insecure houses and subjected to abuse and threats after judgments that they deliver.
According to him, this informed the basis for the pledge he gave during the state of the nation address on 9th March 2021 that government through the Ministry of Local Government and the DACF commenced an unprecedented initiative to construct 90 courts with residential accommodation for judges across the country help address the problem of inadequate court infrastructure.
President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude to his majesty the Asnatehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the entire Asanteman for the immense support they gave to the project.
He also commended Chief Justice Anim Yeboah and his predecessor Sophia Akuffo, Former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Hajia Alima Mahama; the Minister for Local Government and Decentralization and Rural Development, Dan Botwe and the Administrator for DACF, Irene Naa Torshie Addo for their contributions.