A new district court has been commissioned at Apremdo in the Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality of Western Region
The new legal edifice would serve the Municipality and its surrounding communities within the Ahanta enclave.
The Chief Justice (CJ) her ladyship justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, who commissioned the facility was joined by Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, the Chief of Apremdo, Nana Egya Kwamena Xl and the Municipal Chief Executive for Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality Kojo Acquah.
In an address delivered, she appealed to Ghanaians to respect and learn how to use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in settling legal cases.
Instead of battling in mainstream courtrooms to secure justice, she said ADR could offer the best of alternative solutions and amicable settlement of disputes.
She described ADR as a simple but effective mechanism required to improve justice delivery in the country.
Her address formed part of the activities lineup to mark the celebration of this year’s ADR.
The Chief Justice acknowledged the role of ADR in building a harmonious society.
“ADR or Justice is the cornerstone of any civilized society,” she said.
According to her, “justice is the outcome of social and judicial interactions that are fair”
To this end, she acknowledged “When you come to court, you are subject to law, you are subject to rules of procedure”
Commenting on challenges facing the judicial sector in the country, she said “The court-related system of adjudication can be time-consuming, costly, and emotionally derailing ”
The Chief Justice, Her Lady Justice Gertrude Torkornoo appealed to Ghanaians to embrace ADR in order to achieve a harmonious society built on the pillars of peaceful relationships.
She explained the significance of ADR in consolidating gains made in justice delivery in the country.
This year’s ADR week is on the theme: ‘Building the Pillars of Justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)’.
The week started on Monday, 13 November 2023, and ended on Friday, 17 November 2023.
The ADR week, offered court users who have pending cases the chance to utilise the out-of-court settlement through a Mass Mediation Exercise.
About 135 courts, including 100 District Courts and 35 Circuit Courts, took part in the ADR week, dedicating the whole week to settling court cases across the country using ADR as the main source of justice delivery.
The purpose of the week-long celebration was to sensitise the general public on the importance of ADR within the court system and how it could be used to seek justice.
Chief of Apremdo
The Chief of Apremdo, Nana Egya Kwamena Xl, lauded the government for bringing the administration of justice closer to the people of Effia-Kwesimintsim municipality.
“Your Lady Justice, the Chief Justice, as a certified Alternative Dispute Resolution practitioner, upon being approached by the Municipal Assembly regarding land for such a facility, I promptly and unequivocally accepted the opportunity without hesitation. Throughout history, Apremdo has consistently provided land for various development initiatives: Military Barracks, Airforce Barracks, Fire service station, Markets, clinics, etc. And now a courthouse, it is our hope that administration of justice in this courthouse shall be free and fair without fear or favor”
He told the Chief Justice about unfortunate experiences people encounter “Often, we hear cases of unprofessionalism by some very few judicial service staff who taint the image of the Ghana Judicial Service, unfortunately, the judicial service needs to make it easier for victims to lodge complaints against any member of the Judiciary or court staff who makes any unlawful demands, in performing his or her judicial duties, for disciplinary action to be taken against the person or group of persons,” he concluded.
By: Zambaga Rufai Saminu | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
