ABLEKUMA WEST COMMISSIONS CIRCUIT COURT
The Judicial Service and Ablekuma West Municipal commissioned a new Circuit Court building at Dansoman Keep Fit on Thursday, 19th January, 2023.
The Circuit Court was funded from the District common Fund (DACF) with the sole purpose of handling cases within the municipality and surrounding municipalities. The inauguration was witnessed by the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah, and the MP for Ablekuma West, Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, the MCE, Hon. George Cyril Bray, some members of the Judiciary, Traditional Leaders and Staffs of the Assembly.
Hon. Ursula Owusu Ekuful said it had been her mission to transform the area into a model municipality to facilitate commerce and development. She stressed that, the challenges faced by the people had been heard hence, excited to see the modest effort and progress to tackle the challenges systematically.
‘‘This will be the first Circuit Court to be part of the Justice System as we facilitate the implementation of E- Justice. This has come to our constituency and we must ensure that we benefit from it’’.She noted.
The Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah stated that, the new Court building was part of the Judicial Service’s vision to enhance citizens’ access to quality service by establishing courts in close proximity with community members to resolve disputes as a collective responsibility to ensure democracy prevailed in the country.
He added that, the structure formed part of the 100 court buildings being financed by the government to address the deplorable state of the country’s courts and also increase the courts availability to serve the citizenry. Also, the fifth gender- based court to handle cases of violence against women and children, handle both civil and criminal cases which would bring relief to the police especially people in Ablekuma West, Ablekuma Central and Ablekuma North constituencies.
‘‘This Circuit Court, as designated, is going to offer our staff a good working environment with all the modern facilities you can think of. It will later in the year be fitted with state –of – the –art ICT equipment to enable it to also function as a child- friendly, gender- based violence court to enhance accessibility by the vulnerable in society who are mainly women and children when they suffer domestic or sexual abuse’’. He elaborated.
‘‘There is a need for the judiciary to be well resourced hence investment in this court needs to be protected. Every user of the facility must exercise utmost care and treasure the resources available’’. He urged.
The MCE, Hon. George Cyril Bray said the courts are our constitutional fortresses of refuge that enforce welfare as well as the duties and responsibilities of the people of Ghana hence, very happy to have the court to promote the delivery of justice in the Ablekuma West Municipality and the neighboring municipalities.
‘‘With the presence of this court, we can be sure that cases presented by applicants would be dealt with judiciously and on time to promote law and order within the municipality. Also, we are optimistic that, with a solid foundation, this court would be able to function with maximum confidence and minimum delay in the discharge of its duties’’. He stressed.
‘‘This beautiful edifice being handed over to the Judicial Service would positively contribute to the performance of the staff. However, if the needed resources and proper maintenance are not given highest premium, the facility will deteriorate sharply and influence the performance of staff. Therefore, I plead with the Judicial Service to be passionate about maintenance of this structure so that it can continue to serve the municipality in the years ahead’’. He added.
