Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo has made a significant decision to resume the operations of the Court of Appeal across various regions of Ghana.
This move comes as a revitalization effort following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had previously halted the functioning of appellate courts outside of Accra.
Before the pandemic, the Court of Appeal regularly convened in cities such as Kumasi, Tamale, Ho, Koforidua, and Cape Coast to address legal matters pertinent to different regions of the country.
With the reopening initiative, the Court of Appeal is set to convene in additional locations beyond Accra, including Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, Koforidua in the Eastern Region, and Sekondi in the Western Region. This strategic expansion aims to facilitate broader access to justice and ensure that legal proceedings are conducted efficiently and effectively across the nation.
During an engagement with the Judicial Press Corps at the Law Court Complex in Accra, Chief Justice Torkornoo disclosed the implementation of meticulous administrative protocols to facilitate the seamless resumption of court operations in the designated regions.
Comments Made by the Chief Justice of Ghana Gertrude Torkornoo on the Reopening
The Court of Appeal for the northern regions will be reopened by a satellite registry in Tamale, and cases will be heard virtually from Kumasi, A lot of consultation has gone into all these decisions. We have spoken with Parliament, the Bar and other stakeholders to arrive at this. Justice is a product of people of Ghana. Law is made by the people of Ghana; it is only administered by the judiciary, and therefore, we must take all steps to bring justice closer to people, she remarked.
By extending the reach of appellate courts beyond the capital, the Chief Justice’s initiative demonstrates a commitment to promoting judicial efficiency, enhancing public trust in the legal system, and fostering equitable access to justice for all citizens.
