Fear of judicial system hindering justice in Ghana – AWLA

law-and-justiceFear of the judicial system due to low level of education, impropriety at the courts and ignorance of its operations, have been cited as some of issues hindering access to the judiciary.

Fear borne out of intimidation from court officials, rampant adjournment of cases and poverty were the other reasons cited for people’s inability to access the judicial system.

This was disclosed by Madam Edna Kuma, Executive Director, African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), during a citizen driven accountability programme with the Judicial Service of Ghana in Accra on Thursday.

The accountability programme with the Judicial Service was intended to promote institutionalisation of accountability interaction between civil societies and the judiciary, help citizens and civil societies build positive relationships with the judiciary and the judicial service.

She noted that many people are denied access to justice due to lack of resident judges and inadequate sitting days.

She said public trust is predicated on the belief that public officials are accountable and act responsibly and ethically.

Madam Kuma said accountability ensures that actions and decisions taken by public officials are subjected to oversight review so as to guarantee that government initiatives meet their stated objectives and respond to the needs of the community they are meant to benefit.

She also called for an evaluation of the effective operations of public bodies to ensure that they perform to their full potentials, providing value for money in the provision of public services, and instilling people’s confidence in the Government.

She also expressed concern about the existing structures of the complaints systems as they do not afford a feedback mechanism to complainants on their situations of grievances reported.

“Again the system for complaints is not widely used by many people especially those in the rural communities,” she added.

Madam Kuma said although for the past two and a half decades, Ghana has nurtured a justice system to reflect and respond to an economy badly in need of foreign exchange and investors, many Ghanaians cannot afford a filing fee for initiating of cases in court.

“Although we have established the Fast Track High Courts, Commercial Courts and Land Courts to meet foreign investors, many Ghanaians cannot afford filing fees let alone legal fees,” she stressed.

Justice Dennis Adjei, Director, Public Complaints Division of the judicial services, said at least 45 cases are brought against people in the judiciary every month.

He said the Service thoroughly investigate all complaints brought before its officials and culprits are brought to book.

He noted that the Judicial Service had developed a computer placement system which automatically places judges on cases brought before it to avoid bias.

Source: GNA

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