GNA Atlantic Lithium Limited is in the process of being listed on the stock exchange-GSE GNA IMF to begin Second Review of Ghana’s programme on April 2 GNA ECOWAS Commission reviews draft action plan for Integrated Maritime Strategy GNA Civil Society Coalition for African Continental Free Trade Area inaugurated GNA Ashanti West ECG to clamp down on illegal connections GNA Women gari processors at Ahyiresu community gets processing factory GNA Ashanti West ECG to clamp down on illegal connections GNA $1.2 billion disbursement from partners will mitigate cedi depreciation GNA African Trade Chamber in US seeks collaboration in Africa GNA Election 2024: Analyst urges National Security to begin early preparation

‘Prompt justice delivery key to ending mob justice’


  27 Mai      22        Technologie (1314),

   

Butre (W/R), May 27, GNA – Nana Kofi Tandoh, the Abusuapanyin of the Butre Stool in the Western Region, says avenues for seeking justice and prompt justice delivery is key to ending mob justice and other entrenched traditional means of dealing with offenders in local communities.

He bemoaned the receipt of unapproved fees by some law enforcers and wondered whether the justice delivery system was only for the rich in society.

Abusuapanyin Tandoh, therefore, expressed appreciation to the HURDS Foundation for enlightening communities on systems such as the Legal Aid, Social Welfare, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and non-governmental organisations offering free advisory services and promoted Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

The HURDS Foundation, local partners to Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives, has embarked on a series of education in some communities in the Western Region to sensitise them on the Ghana Case Tracking System (CTS), and the ADR Act, under the USAID Justice Sector Support Project.

« When I realised that my niece’s boyfriend was not ready to perform any marital rites after five children, I took him to the police but the matter ended nowhere…now I know of the right institutions to go to, » Abusuapanyin Tandoh said.

Three communities – Manso, Butre and Sopomu Dunkwa – have benefited from the Access to Justice Education programme.

The CTS linked all stakeholders in the justice delivery system into a platform for tracing progress of cases and ensure speedy trial to halt congestion at the courts.

The ADR, on the other hand, encourages home or scientifically grown approaches to settling disputes without the formal court system.

Ms Fidelia Owusu Konadu Sam, a Principal Investigator with CHRAJ, explained how the Commission used mediation, arbitration, and other forms of dispute resolution to settle cases and encouraged the communities to patronise their services in their quest for justice.

The Commission was established by the CHRAJ Act, 456 in July 1993 to handle Human Rights, Administrative Justice and anti-corruption cases.

It also ensures the enforcement of rights, investigates fundamental human rights violations and resolves cases through mediation and negotiation.

Ms Sam said some cases that one could report to the Commission included corrupt parctices, non-maintenance of children and spouse, unfair treatment, intestate, harassment, domestic violence, property related issues, and gender-based violence.

Others are discrimination, victimisation, poor service delivery, abuse of power, unlawful detention, bribery, embezzlement, conflict of interest and breach of code of conduct for public officials.

Ms Eva Ankrah, the Executive Director, HURDS Foundation, said more than 10 communities have been targeted to receive education on ADR and the Case Tracking System to empower local communities to seek justice.

She encouraged families not to shield domestic violence issues to avoid disastrous consequences.

Madam Elizabeth Baafo, a women’s group leader, described the education as timely as it would help the women address community issues such as teenage pregnancies, defilement and rape, and economic rights abuses.

Dans la même catégorie