Justice NCA Agbevor, Volta Minister, Archibald Yao Letsa and other dignitaries cutting the tape to the Court.
Access to justice has been brought closer to the people of Afadzato South District after a District Court was inaugurated there recently.
The inauguration which was done by a Justice of the Court of Appeal, His Lordship Justice NCA Agbevor was done at Ve-Golokuati where the court is situated.
Most residents and workers in the district were elated by the inauguration because, to them, the days of traveling several kilometers to Hohoe and Kpando to seek judicial services were over.
Bad Attitude Of Judiciary Staff
Justice NCA Agbevor in his address expressed disgust at the bad working attitude of the judiciary staff, particularly those who have been abandoning their work for personal businesses.
He stressed that the legitimate hours for court activities was from 8:30am to 4:00pm, hence it is disappointing when court offices are empty at working hours.
“Some staff go to work at 10:00am and because they claim there are no cases, they won’t stay and close at the appropriate time. He also advised them to desist from politicising their work because it is against the ethics of the judiciary.
Justice NCA Agbevor, however, appealed to the citizens to support the court staff with accommodation, ensure their safety and cooperate with them and not to interfere with the court process.
Chiefs Not To Interfere
Dr Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, urged the chiefs and influential personalities to desist from using their power to influence the course of justice as it is a disincentive to development.
Major Relief
The District Chief Executive for the area, Lawyer Wisdom Seneadza said the presence of the court in the district was a major relief because “We have to travel to Hohoe or Kpando each time we are in need of the services of the judiciary. This invariably does not only add-on to the cost of the service but also crowds the courts in Hohoe and Kpando”.
He said the absence of a court also burdened the traditional customary courts who had difficulty in distinguishing between criminal cases which fell outside their domain and civil cases which was within their domain.
He said the court would also relieve the Police Service in the district which is largely constrained by resources and lessen their burden in persecuting offenders of the law on behalf of the Attorney General.
From Collins Anku, Ve-Golokuati