Government would support the Judiciary in the discharge of duties

Sunyani Nov. 5, GNA - Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye Marfo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, on Friday said government would support the judiciary to bring justice to the people so that citizens would live and work in an atmosphere of peace and security.

He therefore stressed the need for a tried and tested legal system, procedure and rules to address infringements and infractions on the rights and privileges of the people.

Mr Marfo made the call in a speech read for him by the Sunyani Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Kwasi Oppong, at the commissioning of a commercial court in Sunyani that will deal with commercial disputes. The Regional Minister said the professional handling of infractions "safeguard the rights of people, develop a nation and contribute to good governance and effectively regulate economic activities for businesses to flourish".

Increase in investment, trade and commence over the years has brought in its wake legal challenges necessitating the need for a commercial court to deal with commercial disputes, he stated Mr. Marfo was optimistic that the court would ensure speedy, effective and efficient dispensation of justice in commercial disputes. "Finding amicable solutions to business and commercial contractual relationship had become an integral part of the administration of justice and needed structures and systems that could resolve business disputes to the satisfaction of parties involved. The likelihood of disputes arising from misunderstanding and non conformity to terms and contractual agreements cannot be taken for granted in an attempt to develop as a nation by engaging in major economic activities, which people and institutions are learning to work with others from different legal backgrounds and different business expectations", the Regional Minister said.

He said as mining activities and many economic and potential activities abound in the region, it was appropriate that the stage was prepared for investors to come with the assurance that there was a ready mechanism to address business problems when they arose. Mr Marfo urged that cases brought before the court be dealt with without compromising on equity and fairness to add to the already high level performance of the judiciary.

Mr.Justice Anin Yeboah, a Supreme Court Judge, who represented the Chief Justice Mrs. Theodora Wood, said there was general dissatisfaction in the enforcement of business agreements and contracts in Ghana, which was a source of worry to the business community.

He gave assurance that the introduction of the commercial court would bring speedy, efficient and effective solution of commercial disputes in order to promote trade, investment and economic activities in the country.

Justice Yeboah said the court would bring about a positive way of ensuring practical business content and practice into the development of the law and asked that the court be manned by competent judges to adjudicate commercial cases.