By William Yaw Owusu
Wedneday December 12, 2007
THE Judicial Service is to establish a second Commercial Court to be based in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region, to deal with investment related disputes.
Chief Justice Georgina Wood who disclosed this yesterday did not give instances of the disputes, but said it has become necessary for people in the Western Region to have a court with commercial status, following the recent discovery of oil in the area.
The Chief Justice was speaking when the out-going British High Commissioner, Mr Gordon Witherell, called on her to bid her farewell after a four-year duty tour in Ghana.
She said: “we anticipate that with the discovery of oil in the region, more investment related cases will come up and we have to take steps to provide the necessary services for businesses to thrive in Ghana.”
She said her office has set up a committee to review existing projects of the Judicial Service along the lines of those existing in Britain.
As part of the efforts to modernise the courts, the judiciary is planning to set up a consulting centre for use by counsel and clients to ensure smooth administration of justice.
Mrs Wood said the Judicial Service will seek British scholarships for judges to upgrade their knowledge on oil and gas exploration issues.
In his farewell message, Mr Witherell, promised to consult the British government to send legal experts to Ghana to continue the training of more magistrates and judges
He praised Ghana’s efforts to institutionalise the offshore banking concept saying “It is a step in the right direction because it will promote economic growth.”
He also commended the government for appointing a first female Chief Justice and congratulated Justice Wood on her appointment.
The first commercial court was set up in Accra in March 2005. It was financed by DANIDA.
1 comment:
good article!
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