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The lives of judges, lawyers, prosecutors, policemen and individuals who troop into the new court complex in Accra are in danger.

This is because the scanner which is supposed to screen individuals and people who enter and operate within the court, to ensure they do not carry any dangerous weapon along when entering the court, has broken down.

Speaking to The Finder, the Manager of the new court complex, who only gave her name as Nana Ama, admitted that the scanner broke down a week ago, promising that it would be fixed by Friday, August 26, 2016.

According to reliable sources, the component in the scanner that has to be replaced before it can function again will cost $11,800.

In addition, the sources said the managers will need to procure an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) gadget that would protect the machine against power fluctuations.

The procurement of the UPS is necessary because the component in the scanner that got burnt was caused by power fluctuation.  

The 42-room, fully-furnished complex was financed by the government at a cost of $50 million.

The complex comprises 10 land courts, 10 commercial courts, six criminal courts and six general jurisdiction courts.

Others are three divorce and matrimonial courts, two financial and economic courts, and two human rights courts.

The rest are two labour courts and one probate and administration court.

 Facilities

Facilities at the complex include eight lifts, two exotic public courtyards with a water-harvesting facility and water storage tanks with a capacity of 72,000 gallons for domestic use and for fire fighting.

All the 42 courtrooms have adjoining judges’ chambers, four registries, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) rooms and a clinic.

The state-of-the-art complex also has offices for banks, a data centre, a business centre, and a cafeteria on each level for the public, staff of the Judicial Service and judges.

It also has a 300-seater auditorium, a library, executive offices for the Attorney-General and police prosecutors, an information centre, and a media briefing room.

The complex has first-class consultation and waiting rooms and accommodation for vulnerable witnesses such as children, victims and relatives.

There are extensive facilities for lawyers and their clients, the media and juries within secure and segregated circulation.

There is also cell accommodation for 100 prisoners, a prison reception area, prison officers’ office and other ancillary facilities.

The efficient delivery of services at the complex is aided by modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure. All the courtrooms have been enabled for digital recording, including a dedicated video conferencing facility in some specialised courtrooms.

Other main ICT services include a direct transcription system, wireless access as part of the local area network facility, a data centre with storage area network, a public address system, electronic signage, as well as telephony and dedicated Internet services.

The complex has dedicated closed-circuit television systems, uninterrupted power systems and high-capacity standby generators.