Washrooms at new court complex closed; visitors inconvenienced

Persons seeking justice at the new court complex who intended to use toilet facilities in the edifice have been inconvenienced as all the washrooms have been closed due to a construction defect.

Workers are currently working to correct the fault which was noticed on April 18th in the project which was commissioned in October last year by President John Dramani Mahama at a colourful event.

The seven-month-old edifice accommodates 42 High Courts, has banking facilities, cafeteria, 300- seater auditorium, library, a business centre and a media centre. It also has press briefing room, Executive office of the Attorney General and Police Prosecutor and a data centre among others.

The US$50 million project, which began in August 2011 was executed by Chinese Company, State Hualong Construction Limited, with funds from the Government of Ghana.

It is not immediately known when the repair works on the bathrooms will be completed and court authorities are yet to announce alternative avenues of convenience for justice seekers.

It would be recalled that in March this year, the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) strongly opposed the commercialization of toilet facilities at the facility.

Its Chief Executive Officer, Kofi Kapaito, insisted that the practice where people are charged for using washrooms at the court is illegal and must not be countenanced.

Patrons of the facility are charged GHC 50p per every usage. The practice has seen business booming at the venue since hundreds of people attend the courts daily.

He threatened to sue the Judicial Service if the Practice was not stopped.