CJ Rejects Refurbished Court Building

Chief Justice Sofia Akuffo has rejected a newly refurbished magistrate court in the Wassa East district assembly in the Western Region which is not fit for purpose.

She explained to the District Chief Executive Wilson Arthur, the facility is below the requisite standard of the Judicial Service and lacks the confidentiality that a court needs.

“This is not the court we want and so you should already be thinking of another relocation or it can be anywhere near here and then you do it the way we want it , as it is places that has to be confidential the offices are too exposed to the public,” she said.

She emphasized on the easy access to the office of the registrar.

The CJ made the observations, after she commissioned the court on Monday as part of her six-day tour of the Western Region to acquaint herself with challenges facing the judicial system in the region.

She also added that the judicial service wants standardize courts across the country so that any stranger who comes to any community can easily identify the court.

Akuffo has therefore gave the Wassa East district assembly by the end of February to give her feedback on the reconstruction of a new magistrate.

“I will give you up to February ending to come and tell me your plans on the reconstruction of a new court.”

Arthur has expressed disappointment at the building, which has failed to impress the Chief Justice.

He said he was expecting some accolade after using scare assembly funds to renovate the building.

“This one was built quite recently when we inherited it. When we came it was in a bad state but we renovated it and furnished it and we thought it was one of the best court houses in Ghana. So when she came I was expecting her to say that your place is better than a high courts.”

The disappointed DCE said the Assembly will use the building for a police station and later think of how to mobilize funds to build a befitting court.