PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO LAUNCHES e-JUSTICE PROJECT
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,
on Wednesday, 20th March, 2019, launched the e-Justice Project, the paperless
court system which will enhance dramatically the nation’s efforts at improving
its justice delivery system.
Speaking at the launch, President Akufo-Addo stated that the
e-Justice Project is a recognition of the fact that every aspect of life is
today ruled by technology.
“The Project is attempting to help ensure that the law keeps
pace with technology, ending the age-old “missing dockets” phenomenon and
endless litigations, which have plagued the efficient delivery of justice in
the country for several years,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo told the gathering that since his
assumption of office, a number of policy measures have been introduced to help
bridge the technology-gap, in the justice delivery system.
Thus, it was that, in May 2018, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu
Bawumia launched the e-case register. The register contains information such as
titles of cases, types of offences, gender of accused persons, contact details
of the police station, investigators and attorneys directly involved with a
case, amongst others.
“When fully executed, information about the number of
convicts, dates convicted, nature of offences, number of persons on remand or
who are simply being processed for court, amongst others, will be shared with
the relevant state institutions,” he said.
The President continued, “Through the e-Justice Project, an
electronic platform is being provided for process filing, process service, fee
assessments, and online payments. The platform, additionally, automatically
assigns cases to courts and judges, a clear departure from the days of manual
assignments, which had the tendency to pervert the course of justice.”
The paperless court system, President Akufo-Addo explained,
“operates with minimal interference, and, if what we have seen so far with the
paperless system in use at our ports is anything to go by, then we are
guaranteed greater efficiency in our justice delivery system.”
He urged the Chief Justice not to relent in her quest to
build a first-class Judiciary, whose hallmarks are competence, fairness, and
independence.
“It is, indeed, encourage to note that, in addition to the
implementation of this project, training programmes are being held for members
of the Bench and their staff. This will augur well for the success of the
Project,” he added
The President was hopeful that all actors connected with the
e-Justice system will strive for excellence, and demonstrate integrity in the
use of the platform, so that anyone, judge, lawyer, or client, who uses the
platform, will be confident that justice will always be delivered.
“As we seek to move our country to a situation beyond aid, I
urge all Ghanaians to be natural champions of a law-based state, whose
establishments are solid enough to sanction effectively vigilantism, bank
frauds, cyber frauds, sharp practice, illegal mining, identity thefts, stealing
of public funds, bribery and corruption, criminal cartels, and criminal
behaviour in general, including assault on and by law enforcement officers. The
application of technology to the practice of law and the administration of
justice will help facilitate the nation’s ability to reach these goals,” he
said.
He was confident that the e-Justice system will be one of
the surest ways of diligently executing your task, and appealed to the actors
to “make our justice delivery system one we can always be proud of.”
“GOV’T FULLY COMMITTED TO WELFARE OF ARMED FORCES” – PRESIDENT AKUFO-ADDO.
The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,
says Government is fully committed to the well-being and welfare of the men and
women of the Ghana Armed Forces.
Speaking at the end-of-year Wassa of the Ghana Armed Forces,
at Burma Camp, on Thursday, 21st March, 2019, President Akufo-Addo stated that
“we will continue to stay true to the pledges we made in the 2016 manifesto
that brought my party, the New Patriotic Party, and I, into office.”
Outlining some of the measures put in place to improve the
welfare and well-being of the Ghana Armed Forces, the President stated that his
Government, upon assumption of office, increased the United Nations
Peacekeeping Troops contribution allowances from $30 to $35 per soldier per
day.
“We cleared the outstanding arrears of $13 million for all
peacekeeping personnel, we are now paying your allowances at the place of
operations, as you wished, we have also settled the 11.1% of arrears due to the
civilian employees, and effected a 10% upward salary review for all personnel,”
he added.
President Akufo-Addo indicated further that the completion
of the 3rd Phase of the 37 Military Hospital is on course, and Government is
also completing the 500-bed Military Hospital in the Ashanti Region, and will
begin the third phase of this project soon.
“’Work is on-going on the barracks regeneration projects,
with the four blocks of 16 flats each between 60 to 75% complete. Nearly a
month ago, in fulfillment of an October 2018 pledge, I presented 50 ANKAI
Buses, 40 Toyota Landcruiser Hardbody Vehicles, and 50 Toyota Hilux Pickups,
which form part of the first tranche of 138 staff and operational vehicles of
various categories, to the Armed Forces,” he added.
He continued, “During the year, we will provide the Army
with 30 Otokar Armored Personnel Carriers (APC), and 6 fast patrol boats for
the Navy. We are also making systematic efforts to protect our offshore
hydrocarbon assets, now of great value, by establishing a Forward Operating
Base at Enzulebu, in the Western Region, for their protection. Construction of
the base will begin this year.”
With respect to the Air Force, The President stated that two
of the M.I 17 helicopters were sent for overhauling and have returned to the
jurisdiction, and funds have been released to extend the flying hours for the
third helicopter.
“Similarly, when we took office, all three of the CASA C295
transport aircrafts had broken down. We have fixed one of them, and the
remaining two have been sent out of the country for overhauling. One is due
back in the country next month, and the other in October,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo reassured that Government will not
relent in its efforts at transforming the Ghana Armed Forces into a formidable
force, and will continue to help enhance the capacity and capabilities of the
Armed Forces towards the development of our nation.
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