Judicial Service, DANIDA sign MOU

Accra, Feb. 16, GNA - The Judicial Service and the Danish Embassy on Thursday endorsed a document that seeks to implement the activities of good governance and human rights (GGHR) programmes in the country. The objectives of the document are to promote access to justice for the poor and vulnerable and design a framework that would integrate Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) into the process of Magistrate Courts.

It would also train and build capacity within the service through modernization of the District Courts.

Mr Justice F. Kusi-Appiah, Court of Appeal Judge and Mrs Regina Apotsi, Judicial Secretary, signed for the Judiciary while Mr Peter Jule Larsen, Deputy Head of Mission, Royal Danish Embassy, endorsed for the Danish government.

The overall funding for GGHR programme is estimated at 1.6 million dollars with the programme between 2006 and 2008.

To boost the activities of the judiciary, DANIDA also donated two double cabin pickup vehicles estimated at 46,000 dollars to the Public Complaints and Courts Inspectorate Unit.

The vehicles are to facilitate inspection of the courts in both the northern and southern sectors.

Mr Justice Kusi-Appiah, who is also Chairman of the Steering Committee of the GGHR, said the programme had an overall objective of enhancing human rights, equity, transparency and accountability. It is also to support improved delivery of services for a sustainable poverty reduction within a decentralised democratic environment.

He commended DANIDA for supporting several projects of the service, including the six commercial courts, which it funded and equipped. Mr Justice Kusi-Appiah said the Public Complaints and Inspectorate Unit of the Court had a crucial role to play in ensuring transparency, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption and encourage the public to lodge complaints for any untold practices against judges and judicial officers.

"Such complaints when lodged are thoroughly investigated and redressed," he said.

Mr Justice Kusi-Appiah said the Judiciary valued the partnership and cooperation of the Royal Danish Embassy and pledged the Judicial Service's support towards the realization of the programme's objectives.

"We wish to assure our sponsors DANIDA, that we shall deliver by ensuring that the programme is fully implemented, outputs achieved and funds managed efficiently and effectively in accordance with our respective tasks," he said.

Mr. Peter Jule Larsen said his country would continue to offer support to the Judiciary to enhance effective justice delivery. Ms. Sandra Coffie, Director, Judicial Reform Project Development and Implementation, said one cardinal objective of the GGHR was to effectively improve justice delivery at local and community levels. Ms Coffie said the Judiciary was embarking on major reforms that would enhance justice delivery systems. 16 Feb. 07