President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that safeguarding the judiciary’s independence was one of his top priorities upon assuming office.
President Akufo-Addo emphasized that a robust and independent judiciary is the foundation of a thriving democracy, serving as the ultimate recourse for Ghanaians in resolving disputes.
He emphasized that the judiciary must maintain the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that it remains beyond reproach and upholds the trust and confidence of the public.
“During my tenure, we have worked tirelessly to strengthen the judiciary, ensuring that it has the resources, the independence and the integrity to fulfil its mandate. We’ve introduced electronic filing systems, reducing reliance on paper-based documentation and streamlining the judiciary process”.
“This initiative has not inly expediated the handling of cases but has also enhanced transparency and accountability within the legal system”.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo hailed this initiative as a significant stride towards making justice more inclusive, accessible, and efficient for all Ghanaians, bridging the gap in legal services.
President Akufo-Addo announced that, in partnership with local government ministries, twenty townhouses and a guesthouse have been built in Kumasi as permanent residences for Court of Appeal justices, increasing their accessibility.
This development, the President noted, has enabled the prompt conduct of proceedings in the Northern region, facilitating timely justice delivery.
President Akufo-Addo proudly announced that his administration has completed and commissioned seventy-nine of the hundred court houses promised in 2021, significantly boosting the nation’s justice infrastructure by 2024.
“The remaining 21 projects are at various stages of completion and are expected to be completed and inaugurated this year”. President Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo announced that his administration has built over 121 residential units for justices across the country, significantly expanding their housing capacity.
Although the project is still ongoing, the President noted that his government has made substantial progress in tackling the long-standing issue of inadequate court infrastructure in Ghana, having addressed a significant portion of the problem.
Anti-Corruption Measures Show Tangible Results
President Akufo-Addo declared that his government has spearheaded a robust anti-corruption drive, implementing rigorous measures to root out corruption in Ghana.
He noted that these measures, which significantly bolster the legal administration system, are generating tangible outcomes and delivering concrete results, clearly demonstrating their efficacy and impact.
“We’ve also taken strong, systemic steps to combat corruption, rooted in a holistic program of legislative, administrative, financial and technological reforms. We’ve established the Office of the Special Prosecutor, a critical institution in the fight against corruption, and we’ve provided them with the necessary tools to prosecute those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the Ghanaian people”.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo further highlighted that during his first term, Parliament passed the Witness Protection Act in 2018.
He stated that he signed the Act into law, establishing a witness protection scheme to safeguard individuals who cooperate with law enforcement, particularly in corruption cases.
President Nana Akufo-Addo highlighted a significant milestone in the fight against corruption, recalling the passage of the Critical Offences Amendment Act in 2020.
This legislation, he noted, upgraded corruption from a misdemeanor to a felony, mandating stiffer penalties of 12 to 25 years’ imprisonment, thereby strengthening the legal framework against corruption.
“In addition, my administration has driven the passage of several key laws that bolster the state’s ability to fight corruption”. – President Akufo Addo
He maintained that the implementation of these frameworks, together with other measures, has substantially reinforced the institutional framework, enhancing its ability to effectively combat corruption and promote accountability.
President Akufo-Addo noted that his administration has implemented a range of comprehensive and innovative measures to further strengthen the fight against corruption, in addition to the legislative reforms.
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