In the Nadowli-Kaleo District of the Upper West Region, the Judicial Service of Ghana has inaugurated a new District Magistrate Court in Nadowli.
The addition of the new District Magistrate Court, which was inaugurated last Monday, takes the total number of district courts in the area to five; nevertheless, it makes it one of just two that are located in dedicated structures.
The three others are running in rented space at Wa, Jirapa, and Tumu, while the other permanent one is at Nandom.
The Nadowli-Kaleo District Assembly provided the funding for the new court, which is outfitted with the essential personnel. However, a judge has not yet been assigned to the institution.
Citizens had to go to Wa to seek justice for a variety of matters and problems prior to the inauguration of the new court.
Justice is at your door
The Regional Supervising High Court Judge, Yusif Asibey, spoke on behalf of the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah, describing the inauguration of the court as a memorable moment for the people and in keeping with the Judiciary's declared objective of delivering justice to their doorsteps.
Justice Anin Yeboah declared that the people now had a court in their own backyard where they could decide cases including civil disputes over property, criminal offences like theft, juvenile and family tribunals involving minors, and marriage and maintenance conflicts.
He said the court might also consider cases involving fees, property rates, levies, and violations of the assembly's byelaws.
The District Magistrate Court of Nadowli
However, the Chief Justice encouraged those involved in property ownership disputes to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to avoid exorbitant legal fees and a protracted period of time squandered.
He saw that many land disputes had dragged on for more than 20 years, costing enormous sums of money.
According to Justice Anin Yeboah, the ADR offered a speedier and less expensive method of settling these disputes, and its decisions were equally enforceable as those of other courts.
Therefore, he advised the traditional leaders and elders to convey to litigants that the ADR, which was available at the courts, was a less expensive, more accessible, and time-consuming option.
resolute and decisive
Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, emphasised that the court's ruling should be tough and conclusive, treating all parties equally in any legal proceedings. Dr. Bin Salih ordered all the other district assemblies to build courts in their areas so that people wouldn't have to pay exorbitant travel expenses to seek justice.
Katherine T. Lankono, the District Chief Executive of Nadowli-Kaleo, praised the chiefs and elders for providing the land that had made it possible for them to erect the structure.