The new Upper West Regional Court Complex is almost ready but a shortage of judges and staff could delay justice for residents.

Upper West Regional Minister Charles Lwanga Puozuing said construction is nearly complete and the facility could be commissioned before the next legal year starts in October, myjoyonline.com reported on May 14, 2026.

“All things remaining constant, it will just be left with the finishing. You can see it physically when you visit, and with your blessings, we might be able to commission it before the next legal year that starts in October,” he said.

The bigger problem, Puozuing said, is the lack of judges and court staff.

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The Tumu District Court currently has no judge, causing delays for cases from the Sissala area. Suspects often can’t be tried within the legal period unless moved to Wa.

A judge from Wa occasionally travels to Tumu but poor roads and a lack of vehicles for lower court judges make it hard.

“Jirapa also has a difficulty currently. Nadowli has a judge and is very active. Lawra has a district judge but no circuit judge,” he stated.

The new complex will house three circuit courts and two high courts, raising the need for more judicial officers.

Puozuing said the region needs at least two more circuit court judges and one more high court judge. Right now, only one high court judge serves the entire region from Wa.

He proposed that Lawra keep its current circuit judge while new judges are sent to Jirapa and Tumu.

He also noted recent recruitment exercises brought no new staff to the region, and a proposed district court for Wa West is still under consideration.

Puozuing called for more digitalisation to cut delays and reduce corruption.

“We should digitalise things to ensure that human roles are less in the judicial process, with the hope that it will reduce interference and corruption,” he said.

Ranking Member of Parliament’s Judiciary Committee Bede A. Ziedeng said Parliament will address the concerns during budget discussions.

Deputy Ranking Member Umar Alhassan questioned why furnishing and final works are still incomplete despite funds being released since December.

“After meeting with the judiciary, we were told the complex was about 90 per cent complete, except for additional work on the water and public washrooms. But from your briefing, we have released the money since December. What about the furniture? The furniture should have been finished by now,” he said.

Alhassan added that the contractor demobilised over unpaid arrears but resumed after Parliament and the judiciary secured funding.

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Ziedeng assured the committee will engage the Chief Justice on deploying more judges and magistrates outside Accra.

“If justice is brought to their doorstep, it helps everybody,” he said.

NAD/AM

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