Ministry of Justice given clearance to employ 50 state attorneys 

Ms Gloria  Akufo, the Attorney General and Minister  of Justice, has said the Ministry of Finance has given clearance for the appointment of 50 new state attorneys.

She said the figure is not enough to meet the required state attorneys and other staff of the Attorney Generals Department.

Ms Akufo was addressing staff of the Attorney General Department and other institutions under the Ministry of Justice in the Eastern Region at Koforidua as part of her tour of offices of institutions under his Ministry in the country.

She said she was aware that many of institutions under her Ministry were facing challenges and urged them to prioritize their needs and sent it to her office so that she could make a presentation to the presidency for support.

Ms Akufo said she prefer promotions to be based on performance because that promotes high productivity than promotions based on number of years served.

Mrs Yvonne  Atakora Obuobisa, the Director of Public Prosecution, said the Ministry of Jutice is considering the submission of a bill to parliament for the amendment of the law on the jury system in the country because currently there are some juries who have over stayed to the extent that some of the accused even know their homes of the juries and also there are some of the juries who are over 60 years which is in conflict of the law.

Staffs of the Eastern Regional Secretariat of the Attorney Generals Department complained of irregular provision of funds for the running of the department.

They claimed that as a result, the Regional Chief State Attorney  had to personally pre-finance the purchasing of prepaid electricity units, fuel for the official vehicle, stationary and other requirement for the office.

They said one of the secretaries of the office is on retirement and a second secretary would be retiring by the middle of the year and would lead to just one secretary for the entire region.

Source: GNA