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Make public sanctions to staff of judicial service public – Apremdo Chief to CJ
Nana Kwamena (middle) assisting Justice Torkornoo (secondleft) to inaugurate the EKMA Court at Apollo,
Apremdo. Left is the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-
The Divisional Chief of Apremdo, Nana Egya Kwamena XI, has requested the Judicial Service to make public sanctions meted out to staff for any breach of conduct and ethical behaviours.
“The Judicial Service must ensure the extensive dissemination of information on substantiated petitions filed against its personnel,” he added.
According to him, this will give the farmer and market woman confidence, knowing that the Judicial Service has ears to listen.
Nana Kwamena XI made the call on Monday when the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkonoo, opened the new Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) Court at Appollo, Apremdo, to enhance accessto justice in the municipality.
He said very often, there were cases of unprofessionalism by some Judicial Service staff who tainted the image of the service, but, was worried that there were no clear ways for victims to report.
“It must be 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 duties, for disciplinary action to be taken.”
On land matters, Nana Kwamena said, apart from Burma Camp, Apremdo was the only community in Ghana that had released lands to the Government of Ghana to establish two military barracks, Air Force and Second Infantry (2BN) army barracks.
However, since their grandfathers released these lands to the Government to protect the air space and the land territories of Ghana, “successive governments have not paid the due compensation for both lands.”
The situation, the Apremdo Chief reported, had created tension between the families and the military units over land encroachment, adding, “In as much as Apremdo is giving lands to promote administration of justice to the people of Ghana, we hope the Judicial Service of Ghana will be responsive enough to hear cases on time.”
In response, Justice Torkornoo encouraged the public to holdthe JudicialService accountable for its duties and performances.
She urged the public, court users and clients to show interest in cases in courts and petition the Chief Justice if they believed their cases were unduly delayed.
She also assured that the Judicial Service was poised to ensure that staff adhered to dictates and ethics of their work and ensure a smooth administration of justice to the citizenry no matter their social status.
Justice Torkornoo stressed, “As public officers, judges, registrars, bailiffs, mediators, we are paid for the work we do and it is high time we advance honest, fair and transparent justice system devoid of extortion of monies from clients to retain confidence in the justice system of the country.”
“We are not a law onto ourselves and we are not here to traumatise citizens. We must be held accountable. Any court user who thinks his/ her case is being delayed must petition the Chief Justice -Ethical questions are a concern to the Judiciary,” she said.
Justice Torkornoo further urged staff of the Judicial Service to make the courts comfortable, accessible and also give solace to bruised users and clients.
She said, “The courthouse is comparable to hospitals, people come here because they are in dire need of care, be it emotional, psychological and social – ours is tosooth their pains and not to even bruise their wounds harder with unwanted behaviours.”
From Clement Adzei Boye, Apremdo
The Dzidula Pink Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, has been officially launched in Accra, with a passionate call for national commitment to fighting the disease. The launch event, held last week Friday, carried the theme: “Beyond the diagnosis: A future of restoration, care and courage.”
Speaking at the event, Madam Abena Brigidi, founder and CEO of Nimed Capital Limited, emphasised that cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing families across the country. “Cancer does not discriminate—it affects mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It drains families emotionally and financially, and behind every statistic is a human story and a future suddenly thrown into uncertainty,” she said.
Sharing her personal encounters with cancer, having lost both her husband and father to the disease, Madam Brigidi highlighted the emotional, financial, and physical scars left behind. “I stand here not just as a speaker, but as a witness to what cancer can take away,” she stated. “I have watched loved ones fight bravely, and I have felt the deep pain that loss leaves behind.”
She stressed that awareness and early detection are critical to reducing deaths, noting that many Ghanaians still lack access to proper screening, reliable information, and adequate treatment. She appealed to healthcare professionals, corporate institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public to join hands in the fight. “Early detection saves lives. Your support today can lead to someone’s healing tomorrow,” she said.
Madam Brigidi further called for collective responsibility to sustain the foundation’s mission. “To our medical professionals, we need your expertise. To corporate partners, your resources. To the media, your voice. To policymakers, your support. And to the public, your compassion,” she urged. She also insisted that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to annual campaigns, saying, “Breast cancer awareness must not be seasonal.”
Mrs Diana Fafa Gozo, founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, shared her own cancer journey, describing the shock of diagnosis, the fear that followed, and the difficult path through treatment. Her experience transformed her pain into purpose and inspired her to create a foundation to ensure no cancer patient walks alone.
Mrs Gozo explained that many patients struggle not only with treatment costs but also with emotional resilience. She outlined the foundation’s initiatives, which include awareness and early detection campaigns, patient support funds, community outreach, and survival support circles. “This foundation is my offering of gratitude, courage, and compassion and a reminder that no one should walk the cancer journey alone,” she concluded.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it will deploy teams of Public Health Officers, members of its Sanitation Taskforce, and labourers, including sweepers and janitors, across all sub-metros to support the third National Sanitation Day exercise.
It explained that these teams will be equipped with waste collection trucks, tippers, and other tools to help with desilting, refuse collection, and transporting waste to approved disposal sites.
The AMA reminded residents that failing to comply with the sanitation directive or refusing to participate in communal labour is an offence.
It said offenders risk a fine of up to 100 penalty units, imprisonment between 30 days and six months, or both, with repeat offenders liable to additional daily penalties.
It urged all residents, traders, transport operators, market women, shop owners, landlords, tenants, and businesses to actively participate in the exercise.
The AMA said it counts on everyone’s collective responsibility to keep Accra clean, liveable, and resilient, especially as the city approaches Christmas and the New Year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
