The Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Wood, has opened Ghana’s first Remand Court near the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
The court will hear appeal cases of remand prisoners in both the Greater Accra and Eastern regional jurisdictions, will sit every two weeks.
The innovation is part of efforts by government to decongest the country’s prisons.
The decongestion campaign ignited by a media documentary that showcased the dehumanizing conditions at the country’s prisons, has culminated in the release of many persons who were being imprisoned unfairly.
President Mahama has also signified government’s commitment towards this course by granting amnesty to some prisoners in recent times.
With the opening of the first Remand Court, the Chief Justice Georgina Wood, is optimistic that decongestion of prisons would be achieved.
The court, which will have a dedicated judge to deal directly with inmates who have been on remand for years, will also serve as an Appeals Court.
The opening was attended by various stakeholders in Ghana’s justice delivery system including the Attorney General Marietta Brew Oppong, the President of the Ghana Bar Association, judges, lawyers and the police amongst others.
Chief Justice Georgina Wood criticized some media reports which suggested that criminals were being released into the society under the Justice For All Programme.
She said this cannot be the case urging the media to seek clarification on such matters before putting out falsehood that demoralizes state institutions.
The construction of the court cost 25,000 pounds and was sponsored by the British Government.
Source: GhanaWeb
