Apremdo – Nana Egya Kwamena XI, the Divisional Chief of Apremdo, has called on the Chief Justice to ensure widespread public awareness of actions taken against errant judicial staff. This appeal was made during the opening ceremony of the new Effia Kwesimintsim Municipal Assembly (EKMA) Court, presided over by Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkonoo. The court was established to make justice more accessible to residents of the municipality.
According to Ghana News Agency, publicizing the outcomes of substantiated petitions against judicial personnel is crucial for building public trust in the judiciary. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that ordinary citizens, such as farmers and market women, feel heard and confident in the judicial system’s responsiveness. The Divisional Chief expressed concern over instances of unprofessional conduct by some judicial staff, which he believes tarnishes the reputation of the Ghana Judicial Service.
In his remarks, Nana Egya Kwamena XI also highlighted the lack of clear and accessible complaint mechanisms within the judiciary. This absence, he noted, hinders the ability of individuals to lodge complaints against judicial members who engage in unlawful demands or misconduct. The Chief urged for a more transparent and approachable system for addressing such issues.
Additionally, Nana Egya Kwamena XI addressed land matters concerning Apremdo. He pointed out that the community, aside from Burma Camp, is unique in Ghana for having relinquished land for the establishment of two military barracks: Air Force and 2BN Army barracks. However, he lamented that despite the understanding of compensation for these lands, successive governments have failed to fulfill this obligation. This failure has led to tensions between local families and military units over issues of land encroachment.
The Divisional Chief concluded his speech with a call for the judicial service to be more responsive in hearing cases, especially those related to land disputes, given Apremdo’s contributions to national security and justice administration.