Power outage hampering early judgment

Agona Swedru, May 11, GNA - A High Court Judge, Justice Senyo Dzemafe has appealed to the people seeking justice at the courts to bear with the current situation of frequent adjournments by the courts as a result of the energy crisis.

He assured them of constant sitting of the courts if the energy situation is improved to ensure fast justice delivery. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency at Agona Swedru on the load-shedding exercise, Justice Senyo who is also in charge of Swedru High Court said the crisis has made it difficult for judges to make early judgment of cases.

He said in most cases, judgments were written in the house and at the office, but when there was power failure at these places it became very difficult to perform such duties.

Justice Senyo stated that apart from this, it was not convenient for the courts to sit during power failure because the rooms became hot and dark as a result of heavy attendance.

He appealed to the plaintiffs, defendants and lawyers most of who travelled from far places such as Breman Asikuma, Ajumako, Mankessim, Accra and Cape Coast, to exercise restraint and continue to cooperate with the court while efforts were being made by the government to find lasting solution to the energy crisis.

Justice Senyo stressed that the Judicial Service is inadequately resourced which has made it impossible to provide stand-by generators for the courts.

He therefore appealed to the District Assemblies in the Central Region to assist in the provision of stand-by generators to the courts to facilitate justice delivery. 11 May 07