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Don’t settle rape, defilement cases at home – Appeals Court Judge
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Justice Mensah -Homiah addressing participants at the durbar
An Appeals Court Judge, Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, has urged opinion and community leaders not to entertain or settle cases of crime at home.
“When Imams, market queens, parents, families, come to you, don’t settle these serious cases like rape or defilement, at home. It’s the jurisdiction of the courts. It’s not all matters that are amenable to settlement,” she stressed.
Justice Mensah-Homiah gave the advice at a durbar held last Friday, to mark the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) week in the Western Region on the theme “Building pillars of justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).”
Quoting Section 1 of the ADR Act 2010, Act 798, she explained “Clearly cases which cannot be settled by ADR include matters pertaining to the national or public interest, the environment, the enforcement and interpretation of the Constitution and any other matter that by law cannot be settled by an alternative dispute resolution method.”
“So for cases like galamsey and corruption, we will litigate in court,not at home. However, for ‘smaller’ cases like insulting someone, you can settle them at home,” Mrs Mensah-Homiah told the gathering.
She explained that any court, with criminal jurisdiction may promote reconciliation, encourage and facilitate a settlement in an amicable manner of any offence not amounting to crime.
She said, the settlement might not be aggravated in degree, on payment of compensation or on other terms approved by the court before which the case was tried.
Justice Mensah-Homiah said “The Court shall have a duty to encourage the amicable resolution of commercial claims and early settlement of pending commercial litigation by voluntary action of the parties in accordance with the provisions of this Order.”
“Our Courts can only be said to be ‘user-friendly’ when the adjudication process was expeditious, transparent, devoid of unnecessary expense and cases were completely and effectively determined”, she said.
The Judicial Service, Mrs Mensah- Homiah said, adopted ADR in 2005, to enhance access to Justice, promote privacy, encourage and build relationships, adding it promoted voluntary settlements.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Fijai
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has directed all aspirants campaigning in the Greater Accra Region to suspend their campaign activities on August 5 and 6 and instead mobilise supporters for the party’s planned “Democracy Under Attack” demonstration.
The directive was issued by the party’s National Steering Committee in a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the decision forms part of efforts to ensure a strong turnout for the demonstration, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The party said the protest would begin at 5:00 a.m., with participants expected to gather at the Supreme Court in Accra.
It further directed Regional, Constituency and Polling Station Executives in Greater Accra to work closely to mobilise members and supporters for the event.
“The National Steering Committee is calling on all aspirants currently campaigning across the Greater Accra Region to temporarily suspend their campaign activities on the 5th and 6th of August and join in mobilising support for the upcoming demonstration,” the statement noted.
The NPP appealed to party members and supporters to remain peaceful, disciplined and orderly throughout the protest.
The demonstration forms part of the party’s response to concerns it has raised over issues relating to Ghana’s democratic governance and the justice system.
The NPP leadership expressed confidence that party members would cooperate fully to ensure a successful and peaceful event.
By: Jacob Aggrey
