Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has defended the recent closure of seven courts in the Upper East Region, a measure taken due to escalating security concerns linked to the Bawku conflict.
Her comments came during the launch of the fifth edition of the Manual on Election Adjudication on Thursday, October 31, 2024, held at the Law Court Complex Auditorium in Accra.
The decision to temporarily shut down the courts was made on October 29, 2024, after rising security concerns were reported by court staff and judges working in the affected areas.
The closed courts, which include the Bawku District Court, the Bolgatanga Circuit Court, and other nearby facilities, have raised concerns about access to justice for residents in the region.
Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng, Judicial Service Secretary, also issued a directive to court registrars to safeguard court assets and urged staff to prioritize their personal safety amid the escalating situation.
In her address, Chief Justice Torkornoo acknowledged the impact of the closures, stating, “In the last week, I have had the unpleasant duty of having to close down courts in the upper regions of our country. No one can benefit from such situations and it is in the national interest for all and sundry to rally around the administration of law and justice in the coming elections in order to ensure the preservation of the national fabric that the Constitution has put together for us.”
The Chief Justice called on the public to recognize the importance of maintaining the rule of law and judicial access as pillars of national stability, particularly during the election season.
She also encouraged Ghanaians, including media professionals, to engage thoroughly with the Manual on Election Adjudication, emphasizing that its content will be instrumental in preserving electoral integrity and ensuring justice.
The manual, which aims to guide the swift and impartial handling of election-related cases before, during, and after the 2024 general elections, was unveiled as the nation prepares for the critical electoral period.