A district court complex in Breman, located in the Suame Municipality of the Ashanti Region, has been officially commissioned.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame; Mr Justice Akwasi Annin Yeboah, the outgoing Chief Justice; Mr Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister; and Mr Maxwell Ofosu Boakye, the Municipal Chief Executive of Suame.
In his speech, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu commended the Chief Justice for his vision of expanding the administration and delivery of justice to the ordinary citizen.
He acknowledged various projects initiated under the Chief Justice's leadership, including the construction of over 100 new court buildings and the provision of excellent accommodation facilities for judges.
Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu expressed appreciation to Mrs Irene Naa Torshi, the Administrator of the District Assembly Common Fund, for her dedication to the Chief Justice's call for more court complexes and her instrumental role in developing the funding formula to support such initiatives.
Chief Justice Annin Yeboah highlighted the Local Service Act 2016, Act 936, as the foundation for the court complex project.
He emphasized that justice delivery should cater to the needs of everyone, regardless of their social status, and urged court staff to ensure equal justice without bias.
The Chief Justice encouraged the public to report any misconduct by court staff, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed.
He assured the Municipal Chief Executive and the Chiefs present that the court would operate as a District Circuit Court, with the promise of adding a Magistrate Court when space becomes available.
Mr Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister, appealed to chiefs and opinion leaders within the court's jurisdiction not to interfere with the delivery of justice, as their pleas for leniency could undermine the court's integrity.
Maxwell Ofosu Boakye, the Municipal Chief Executive of Suame, expressed gratitude to all individuals involved in the construction of the complex.
He specifically thanked Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu for supporting the Chief Justice's initiative with his share of the District Assembly Common Fund, as well as his predecessor, Professor Osei Bobbie Boahen, who initiated the project during his tenure.
Nana Kotei Kutin Sraman II, the Bremanghene, appreciated the efforts of the Chief Justice and the Majority Leader, acknowledging that the project had been in progress for three to four years.
He requested that the Chief Justice consider minor offences within the court's jurisdiction when determining the court's status.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by various heads of departments within the municipality, including the District Commander of the Ghana Police Service, the Municipal Fire Officer, the Municipal Coordinating Director, staff of the Judicial Service, Assembly Members of the Suame Municipality, staff of the Assembly, and members of the public.