Chief Justice orders arrest of Judicial Service worker

Sunyani, Sept 10, GNA- The Chief Justice, Mr George Kingsley Acquah, on Wednesday ordered the arrest of an official of the Sunyani Circuit Court for embezzling more than 19 million cedis belonging to the court.

Acheamakah Andrews, 37, registrar and cashier of the court, is alleged to have embezzled the amount between January and September. Mr Justice Acquah made the order when he opened a one-day workshop in Sunyani on judicial statistics/performance management course for staff of the Judicial Service in the Brong Ahafo Region.

It was organized by the Judicial Service, UNICEF and CUSO, a Canadian International Agency and is aimed at introducing the staff to new forms of data collection as well as the process of evaluation and reporting on automated courts.

The Chief Justice warned that indiscipline, mismanagement and dishonesty will not be tolerated in the Service and any staff that misbehaved will be dealt with accordingly.

''Discipline will be instilled in the Service to ensure that there is transparency'', he said.

Mr Justice Acquah said investigations would be conducted to bring other culprits to book.

Mr Justice Acquah said corruption and incompetence have found their way into the Judiciary "because the staff lack training, there is inadequate monitoring and improper data collection."

He expressed regret that the annual statistical report for last year indicated that none of the registrars in the nation's courts could give an exact number of cases put before the courts.

''An institution that has a vision must be able to take stock of the past and look for better alternatives to move forward. It is a disgrace for the Service, established since 1876, to be still cloaked in its colonial legacy and not prepared to change for an improvement", he said.

Mr Justice Acquah appealed to the staff to work hard to redeem the image of the Service by supporting the efforts in transforming the Service.

Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, stated that the vital role of the Judicial Service in the country could not be over emphasized and that the government recognizes its good services to the nation.

He expressed the hope that the staff will ensure a change in their attitude to work and in service delivery after the workshop.