The Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Georgina Theodora Wood has observed that the current state of Ghana's courts has seriously hampered the effective and efficient administration of justice in the country. According to her, the importance of the Courts in the nation cannot be overstated. The Chief Justice made these observations at a short signing of memorandum of understanding between the Judicial Service and the Social Security and National Insurance Trust in respect of an assets swap. Under this agreement, the Judicial Service would exchange the current cluster of courts situated at the 28th February Road, popularly known as Cocoa Affairs Courts, with that of Victoriaborg, a parcel of land adjoining it that belongs to SSNIT. The release of the land will enable the Judicial Service to proceed with the construction of a 5 storey 34 room courts complex for the Judicial Service of Ghana, which is expected to house two courts of appeal, high courts, circuit and two magistrate courts, offices for other key players in the administration of justice, a cafeteria, banking hall, press centre, clinic to meet the health needs of judges, lawyers and court users when the need arises. It will also contain sufficient waiting areas for those accessing the courts and their witnesses and consultation rooms for prosecutors from the Attorney General's Department, lawyers, policemen and so forth. Justice Georgina Wood explained that this purpose built court complex will go a long way to provide lawyers and court users with a congenial atmosphere in which to do their work. "Court facilities should not only be efficient and comfortable, but should also reflect the independence, dignity, and importance in our judicial system…It is difficult for our citizens to have respect for the courts and law, and for those who work in the court, if the community houses the court in facilities that detract from its stature,” she quoted from an observation made by the US National Centre for State Courts in 1991. She pointed out that negotiation for the construction of this court complex was initiated by the late Chief Justice, Justice Acquah and the combine effort of many others, and were at a fairly advanced stage when she assumed office a little year ago. She said “I was determined to move the discussions forward so as to ensure that we achieve the set objective of the construction of this five storey 34 court room complex.” She said the features of the court complex would be found in other jurisdictions including Nigeria. Justice Georgina Wood said by putting the Judicial Service in possession of the Victoriaborg land, SSNIT has made the realization of court complex even more feasible. She disclosed that SNNIT has also graciously consented to the Service’s use of the cocoa affairs courts until the new court complex is ready for use. Furthermore, by the terms of the agreement and further discussions, SNNIT might agree to fund the construction of this court complex, which construction is expected to commence in early 2009. Kwesi Boateng, General Manager in charge of Finance, SSNIT, noted that the process of the MOU started in 2003 under two immediate Attorney Generals and the late Chief Justice. He said the court complex would lead to the avoidance of delays, create convenience for litigants and witnesses and create the room for the appointment of adequate number of judges and judicial officers. He said SSNIT after taking over the cocoa affairs courts would develop it into a commercial facility as part of its investments. Mr Boateng said a clear example of the advantage of increased capacity of the judicial system is the establishment of the weekend courts, which SSNIT took advantage of to recover arrears of Social Security contributions from recalcitrant employers. He disclosed that between the April, when the weekend courts started sitting and June 30 SSNIT made tremendous progress in recovering over GH¢1,544,340.00. He pleaded with the Chief Justice to extend the weekend courts to Kumasi, Takoradi and Tema. Source: Statesman