COMMISSIONING OF ABURI DISTRICT COURT: MONDAY, 30TH JANUARY, 2023.
SPEECH BY HON. O.B. AMOAH, DEPUTY MINISTER, MLGDRD, AND MP FOR AKUAPEM SOUTH CONSTITUENCY
Otoobour Nana Djan Kwasi II (Aburihene and Adontenhene of Akuapem Traditional Council)
His Lordship, Justice Anin Yeboah (Chief Justice of the Republic of Ghana)
Hon. Frank Aidoo (MCE, Akuapem South Municipal Assembly)
Heads of Department
Nananom
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen.
I extend the warmest greetings from the Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Hon. Daniel Botwe, to all distinguished persons gathered here today. I am happy to be part of this important ceremony, particularly because I am here in different capacities as the MP of this Constituency, Deputy Minister of the Ministry in charge of these projects and as a lawyer.
The commissioning of the Aburi Court and many courts across Ghana marks a very fruitful cooperation between the Judicial service, the government of Ghana through the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, and the District Assemblies Common Fund.
It is recalled that in his Message on the State of the Nation on 9th March, 2021, President Akufo-Addo announced that through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the District Assemblies Common Fund, the government had already commenced, in an unprecedented initiative, the construction of courts with accompanying accommodation for judges across the country.
Starting in 2019, the Ministry and the District Assemblies Common Fund, with the active involvement of the Chief Justice, have initiated and facilitated the construction of 130 Court Houses, including 10 two-storey double court buildings and 120 non-residential accommodation for judges and magistrates across the country.
As the President has stated during various commissioning of some of the courts, the initiative is to help address the challenge of inadequate court and accommodation infrastructure, ensure ready access to courts in the districts for promotion of justice and to deepen decentralisaion in accordance with the 1992 Constitution as well as the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
It is sometimes argued that communities and Districts do not need courts as a priority. The benefits of courts are enormous. Our democracy cannot survive without the administration of justice guaranteed under the Constitution of Ghana, 1992.
Despite any challenges, courts exist to guarantee liberty, enhance social order, resolve legal disputes, maintain the rule of law, provide for equal protection, protect individuals against the arbitrary use of governmental power, and deter criminal behaviour, among others.
With the setting up of a court in the Akuapem South Municipaility, it will also generate employment and all forms of business for the benefit of the Municipality and the nation. It is our responsibility to maintain and protect it and appreciate its benefits.
It is my prayer that His Lordship, the Chief Justice, and the Judicial Service will promote court automation which when properly implemented, can lead to a significant reduction in the length and cost of judicial proceedings as well as provide better access to civil justice.
The presence of this court should also strengthen the alternative resolution of disputes as the court can direct that matters be settled through arbitration, mediation, negotiation and community dispute resolution methods, especially among family members, neighbours, or business partners.
We are grateful to the President for his support and commitment throughout the years, as our Ministry and DACF, especially the Administrator, Mrs. Irene Naa Torshie Lartey, have championed the construction of these facilities. We also express our appreciation to the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah, for duly leading the judicial service, to advise and to help supervise the programme to provide well-equipped courts and accommodation across the country. Indeed, our Chief Justice has become a consultant on the projects.
We express our gratitude to Otoobuor and Nananom, the Apeadu family who agreed to lease the land as well as the Municipal Assembly and the MCE who acquired the land for this project. All stakeholders, including the contractors, who have seen to the completion of this outstanding facility and the accompanying residential premises for the judge must be commended.
We should cherish the establishment of this court in our Municipality. We believe that it will be managed in a manner that promotes efficiency and transparency with the opportunity for fair and timely disposition of matters brought before it.
Thank you and God bless our homeland Ghana.


