Judiciary to establish more commercial courts in the regions – CJ

The Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina T. Wood on Monday said more commercial courts would be established in the regions to ensure speedy trial of cases relating to businesses in the country.

She noted that with the achievements of the five commercial courts in Accra over the past five years, they would be replicated in the regions soon.

Mrs Wood announced this when receiving Ugandan Chief Justice, Justice Benjamin Odoki, his wife and a three-member delegation in her office in Accra.

Mr Justice Odoki officially invited Mrs. Wood to Uganda next week.

Mrs Wood suggested the establishment of Human Rights Courts in every African country to address human rights abuses.

She said Ghana had taken the lead in setting up Human Rights Court which dealt with human rights issues, in fulfilment of the provisions of the 1992 Ghana Constitution.

Mrs Wood noted that currently the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) was also complimenting efforts of Human Rights Courts with its decisions being enforced by the High Courts.

She said the Judiciary had also established specialised courts such as Land Courts and five cluster of courts for women and children.

Mrs. Wood thanked Uganda for her assistance to Ghana’s judiciary and urged Mr Justice Odoki, who is a constitutional expert, to offer his expertise to Ghana’s Constitutional Review Commission.

Mr Justice Odoki said Uganda had also embarked on specialisation in her court system and had a Human Rights Commission with its special tribunal.

He said the filing process at the tribunal was not complex and cases were heard expeditiously.

Mr. Justice Odoki said senior officers who breached their Leadership Codes were prosecuted at the tribunal.

As part of his visit, Mr Justice Odoki and his delegation would tour the Commercial Courts, Offices of the Constitutional Review Commission, and interact with seven Ugandans at the Ghana School of Law.

Source: GNA