President Charges Judiciary To Improve Upon Its Performance

Wednesday June 02, 2010
By Edmund Mingle

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday charged the Judiciary to re-examine itself and work towards improving its performance.
He assured of non-interference by government in its work but said the Judiciary should work hard to engender public confidence in the judicial system.

An enhanced performance, devoid of perceived biases, is urgently needed to win the total confidence of the general public, he said, explaining that the role of the judiciary in the country's development process could not be taken for granted.

President Mills, gave the admonition when members of the Judicial Council called on him at the Castle, Osu, in Accra.
The Council, led by the Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood, was at the Castle to discuss with the President issues described as pertinent.

"I admit that our judicialy system is not perfect, but we have to work at it to ensure that people's confidence in the judiciary will be total and absolute, he said, and expressed worry about the complaints from the public, such as delays in trails.

The President commended the judiciary for its contribution to the country's development in spite of the challenges, and assured the Service of government's full support and co-operation.

"I want to assure you that my government will do whatever it takes to make sure that service conditions in the Judicial Service are improved, he said, pledging government's assistance in the provision of accommodation facilities of judges and officers of the judiciary to improve their work.

The Chief Justice, in her brief remarks before the meeting went behind closed doors, thanked the government for the enormous support being offered to the Judiciary.

She cited the government's financial support for the construction of a new 34-court-room complex in Accra, the release of a parcel of land for the establishment of a Judiciary Training Institute to serve as a centre of excellence in Africa, and the replacement of vehicles for judges, saying it was laudable assistance for which the judiciary would remain grateful.

The council, she, said had instituted measures to ensure an effective management of the Judicial Service, adding that it was determined to deal with issues of financial management and effective supervision of the courts.

Proper supervision of the court, she said, would ensure that cases were not delayed unduly, and loopholes that led to corrupt practices were plugged.