Former Tribunal Chairman lauds appointment of Chief Justice

Accra, Aug. 6, GNA - Nana Addo-Aikins, Former Public Tribunal Chairman has commended the appointment of the Mr Justice Kingsley Acquah as Chief Justice but called for more comprehensive reforms in the judiciary system of the country.

"While so congratulating His Lordship and government on appointment of an able Chief Justice for Ghana, however, there still arises the need to draw attention to the need for further judicial reforms after the creation of Fast Track Courts."

Nana Addo-Aikins said this in a statement issued and signed by him to the Ghana News Agency in Accra. He described the appointment as one of the best the New Patriotic Party government has made so far since assuming the reins of power.

He observed that the advantage of speedy trials, which automation of the courts would address would become a mirage if the Fast Track courts were bedevilled with technical faults, power outages and computer related offences.

Mr Aikins said justice delivery in the country has been beset with cumbersome rules and procedures, processes and schedule both in civil and criminal trials, which requires immediate attention.

According to the former Tribunal Chairman the inadequacy of courts, judges and absence of easy access to courts both in terms of location and cost, as well as the low remuneration and poor conditions of service of the staffs of the judiciary leaves much to be desired.

He called for the demystification of administration of justice such as costume; rituals, apparels and other paraphernalia that often tend to put fear into unsuspecting litigants.

" That the rituals performed and paraphernalia and apparel worn by judges when passing death sentence on convicted criminals is a case in point."

Nana Aikins described the new Chief Justice as someone with experience, wisdom and youthfulness, saying that he has a track of high performance in the judiciary and expressed optimism that he would be able to change the negative trends and make justice delivery quick, handy and qualitative.