Justice Senyo Dzamefe
Judges and magistrates have expressed their frustration over the non-payment, as well as continuous delays of their allowances.
According to them, the payment of their allowances has become one of the biggest issues, and said they had to fight for it every year before the legitimate disbursements are made.
President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges (AMJG), Justice Senyo Dzamefe disclosed this when he addressed the 40th Annual General Meeting of the association in Accra yesterday.
The judges and magistrates say they feel disrespected about the manner in which their allowances are paid as though it was a favour being done them.
This year’s meeting was under the theme: “The Quandary of the Judge in the Digital World” to highlight the complex but usefulness of technology in justice delivery.
“As at September 2021, we still have not received any fuel allowances for the year. It is so frustrating to say the least. Without mincing words, we are so frustrated. We feel disrespected about the way our allowances are paid as if it is a favour being done us,” Justice Dzamefe bemoaned.
He disclosed that judges and magistrates have not been paid fuel allowances for so many years, and they have to use their taxed salaries to purchase fuel, which is later paid in the form of a refund which is again taxed as if it was paid upfront.
He also indicated that judges and magistrates have not been paid their book and robing allowances since 2019.
Welfare Issues
Justice Dzamefe also bemoaned the deplorable state of some court buildings in the country, citing the state of the Cape Coast High Court as an example, and stressed that the Judicial Service must act fast before the unexpected occurs.
He said the Judicial Service lost so many bungalows to the National Cathedral project, but has secured 21 town houses at Cantonments which are being occupied by some Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges.
He, however, indicated that the houses are directly on the flight path of the Kotoka International Airport, and the force with which the heavy planes take off directly affect the houses.
Justice Dzamefe called for the provision of vehicles for judges and magistrates as some do not have cars or at best are using old rickety cars.
He called on the Judicial Service and government to replace the old furniture being used by some judges and magistrates, which he said is not good for their health.
Role of Judges
The Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, in an address touched on the significant roles the judiciary plays in the governance of a country “generally, and specifically in the rather difficult task of maintaining law and order and securing peace and stability.”
He said judicial independence is a pre-requisite to the rule of law and a fundamental guarantee of a fair trial.
“I must indicate that we as Ghanaian judges are better equipped to deliver the tenets of the Latimer House Principles. I would not say that we do not have challenges such as financial and resources constraints, but I wish to draw our attention to the fact that we have an enabling environment within which we can dispense quality justice without fear, favour, affection or ill-will.”
Justice Anin Yeboah also entreated judges in the country to be responsible, effective and efficient in the performance of their roles.
The Chief Justice bemoaned the meager number of judges and court buildings across the country, stating that “in a population of over 30 million, we have less than 404 judges and magistrates administering justice in a litigious society like Ghana.”
BY Gibril Abdul Razak