Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has clarified that the Court complex in the Adaklu District has not been officially handed over to the Judiciary. Speaking during an interaction with the Judicial Press Corps at the Law Court Complex in Accra, she explained that although the exterior of the complex appears complete, the interior work is unfinished, including the absence of security systems.
The Chief Justice’s remarks came in response to calls from some residents for the Judiciary to commission the abandoned court complex in Adaklu District. Media reports have highlighted the complex’s construction in 2020 and subsequent neglect, with the premises overtaken by weeds and rodents.
Justice Torkornoo urged the media to verify information before publication, emphasizing that the Judiciary cannot utilize the Adaklu Court complex until it is fully completed and officially handed over.
Providing an overview of the country’s judiciary infrastructure, the Chief Justice revealed that Ghana has approximately 439 courts nationwide. She noted ongoing efforts to construct new courts, with over 100 projects underway, out of which 70 have already been commissioned.
Addressing concerns about the utilization of judges as Registrars in some courts, Justice Torkornoo advocated for judicial staff to receive legal training to enhance their effectiveness. She cited examples from Tanzania and Uganda where similar practices are implemented, emphasizing that legal training for staff is crucial for the efficiency of the judicial system.
Regarding the recently introduced Court Shift System, which aims to alleviate caseloads on heavily burdened courts, the Chief Justice stated that a thorough evaluation would be conducted after four months. This evaluation will inform decisions on expanding the shift system to other regions, thereby enhancing the efficiency of court operations nationwide.
