Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie cuts sod for new Cape Coast court complex 

Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, the Chief Justice, has cut the sod for the construction of a modern court complex in Cape Coast in furtherance of a sustained effort to enhance Justice delivery in Ghana.

The project is in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the country’s judiciary and in honour of Cape Coast as the root and foundation of the judicial system in Ghana and West Africa.

The edifice, to be raised at 4th Ridge adjacent the Adisadel College, would house about 24 courts with specialised divisions, including land, admiralty and arbitration, fully furnished with ICT facilities upon completion.

It will be carried out in phases and is expected to be fully completed and commissioned for use in five years.

The development comes as a significant relief to the people of Cape Coast and the Central Region given the perilous state of the current court complex which continues to threaten the lives of staff and hundreds of users every day.

The 50-year-old structure sited along the coast adjacent the Cape Coast Castle, was inaugurated on Saturday, October 9, 1976, but has not undergone any significant renovation or maintenance in many years.

The building comprises about 11 courts made up of a Magistrate’s Court, two District Courts, two Circuit Courts, two Commercial Courts, three High Courts, and a Court of Appeal, which has been suspended, and many offices.

It may be recalled that the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in 2023 reported that the manky edifice had developed deep cracks, with constant falling of rubbles, eroding pillars, naked and corroding iron rods, broken windows, leaking roofing, broken ceilings, non-functioning washrooms, among other deplorable feat inside.

Some of the rooms like the Commercial Courts and some offices had been neatly painted, giving a false sense of safety when inside.

In other offices, water sifts through the cracked walls when it rains.

Users, including police officers have been struck by falling rubbles on a few occasions.

Due to its perilous state, the court has been closed a few times for some renovations, but the building remains a death trap.

Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie indicated that the new court complex would provide a more befitting and safer space for the operations of the courts, strengthening justice delivery in the region.

Citing the role of the ancient city in the country’s judicial journey, he noted that the project was intended to recognise the Cape Coast’s place in the history of Ghana’s judicial system.

He indicated that the city played a pivotal role in the establishment of the country’s formal judicial system 150 years ago, making it appropriate for the commemoration of the milestone in the city and acknowledge the support of its chiefs and residents.

He emphasised that the Judiciary was established to serve the public and called on judges and judicial staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality and professionalism to maintain public trust in the justice delivery system.

Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, the Oguaamanhen, backed the initiative with excitement, describing the Judiciary as a key partner in governance and development.

He pledged the support of the traditional authorities of Cape Coast for the Judiciary in the execution of the 150th anniversary court project and other related activities.

The relations between the Judiciary and traditional leaders had been longstanding and rooted in mutual respect, the Oguaamanhen, noted, adding that both institutions shared a common responsibility of ensuring peace, justice, and development in society.

He also prayed for divine guidance and protection for members of the Judiciary as they carried out their mandate.

Justice Richard Adjei Frimpong, a Justice of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Judiciary at 150 Anniversary Planning Committee, assured that the proposed court complex would be a landmark facility worthy of its purpose and significance.

He observed that the existing court complex had barely seen any major renovation and was outliving its purpose, prompting the need to build a modern court complex befitting the legacy of Cape Coast.

“The Supreme Court was established and set up in Cape Coast, making it a significant city in our history,” he reiterated.

Given its proximity to Takoradi, the country’s second-largest port city, he said the court would place particular emphasis on admiralty law and feature a specialised division dedicated to arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.

Meanwhile, some residents of Cape Coast have expressed excitement about the project and urged government to expedite its completion.

The Chief Justice earlier called on Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II and his Council of Chiefs at the Emintsimadze Palace before proceeding to the project site.

Later, they proceeded to visit the West Africa Court of Appeal (WACA) building, near the coast at Bakaano, where they unveiled a plaque in commemoration of the anniversary.

The anniversary is on the theme: “The Supreme Court @ 150: Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”

GNA