Crime & Punishment of Monday, 5 October 2009

Source: GNA

New District Magistrate's court for Nsoatre

Accra, Oct. 5, GNA - A new District Magistrate's Court constructed by the chiefs and people of Nsoatre in the Sunyani West District of the Brong Ahafo Region has been inaugurated.

A statement to the Ghana News Agency on Monday signed by Mrs G.A. Tagoe, Director of Communications of the Judicial Service, said the project complemented the efforts of the Service in its quest to making justice delivery accessible to all.

The statement said Mr Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, a Supreme Court Judge with oversight responsibility for the Brong Ahafo Region, who inaugurated the facility on behalf of the Chief Justice, urged other district assemblies to emulate the example of the people of Nsoatre. Justice Baffoe-Bonnie acknowledged the responsibility of the Service to dispense justice to all, which was the basic mission of the Chief Justice.

He noted that the construction of the court house alone could not lead to effective justice delivery unless other stakeholders performed their mandated duties efficiently. Justice Baffoe-Bonie said judges and magistrates had a responsibility to ensure that justice delivery was expeditious and transparent while being fair and firm, as well as abiding by the rules of court.

He reminded them of the judicial oath to which they subscribed and the significance of judicial scale of balance saying these must guide them in their work.

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie admonished staff of the Service to live above reproach and discharge their duties with clear conscience to avoid widespread accusations of malfeasance and corruption against some members of the service, which threatened to erode the confidence in it. He said management had taken a serious view of the allegations against some of the staff of the Service and would not relent in its efforts at bringing them to book. "I therefore charge you to change your negative attitudes so that the public can have confidence and trust in the Service as they turn to you to seek justice," he said. The chiefs pledged to provide accommodation for the staff of the court.