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