Ensure Immediate Release Of Funds To Judiciary - GBA Tells Mahama

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to, as a matter of urgency, ensure the release of budgetary allocation due to the Judiciary, in accordance with the constitutional obligation imposed on him. The funds, it said, would enable the Judiciary to rectify what it called the sorry living and working environment of judges and provide them with a conducive living and working environment. In a statement signed by its National President, Nene Amegatcher, and National Secretary, Justin Amenuvor, the GBA said the 15 per cent internally generated funds retained by the Judiciary was grossly inadequate for it to perform its constitutional mandate throughout the country. Accordingly, it called on Parliament to increase the percentage of the internally generated funds from 15 to 75 per cent without further delay. The GBA asked for the measures it had advocated to be treated under a certificate of urgency by both the Executive and Parliament to avoid total collapse of the administration of justice. The call by the GBA was made after its national executive had toured the regions. During the tour, it said, its �national executives were conducted round the living quarters of some of the judges and it was a sorry sight�. It said working conditions were �equally regrettable�. The statement said although the Judiciary was supposed to be financially autonomous, it had continually been begging the government for annual subventions. �This has resulted in a near breakdown of the justice delivery system, to the extent that basic working tools such as stationery are, in some cases, not available,� it said.