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Judicial Service of Ghana holds outreach programme on justice delivery in Ellembelle

The Judicial Service of Ghana has extended its nationwide outreach programme to the Ellembelle District as part of its vision to build the pillars of justice in the quest to sensitize the citizenry and strengthen delivery system for society.

Date Created : 8/15/2024 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : P.K. Yankey/Ghanadistricts.com

The programme which was under the auspices of Her Ladyship, the Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, was on the theme "Improving Justice Delivery Through Community Engagement".

It brought together legal practitioners, politicians, the Clergy, traditional rulers, school children, the media and a cross-section of the public.

Speaking on the topic, “Land Acquisition in Ghana: The Processes and All You Need to Know" at Ampain in the Western Region, a Justice at the High Court, Her Ladyship, Justice Abena Oppong stressed the need for due diligence before land acquisition to avoid litigations.

She reminded chiefs, queen mothers and family heads who sold lands to establish Customary Land Secretariat to record and document all land transactions.

Her Ladyship Justice Abena Oppong identified issues militating against land acquisition as the presence of land guards, multiple land sale, illegal sale of land and land tenure.

She also advised prospective landowners to undergo all the steps in the acquisition of land to avoid all bottlenecks and acquire genuine lands.

Her Ladyship Justice Abena Oppong said such infractions in land transactions were crimes tantamount to court fines and imprisonment.

She appealed to would-be owners of land to do thorough investigations by demanding evidence of land title registration documents such as site plan from landlords before buying a parcel of land.

A legal practitioner and member of the Judicial Outreach Programme, Mr. Dickson Tweneboah Koduah who spoke on "Place and Types of Marriage, Inheritance, Probate, Wills, Breach of Promise to Marry" said per the PNDC Law 111 which is Intestate Succession Law, wills stipulate how properties of deceased are shared which must be strictly adhered to.

He explained that in lieu of Wills, claimants would have to file an ex-parte application for letters of administration in court.

Mr. Tweneboah Koduah said spousal property was only what the two acquired during marriage but not property before the marriage, adding that even in concubinage, acquired property must be shared among the spouses involved.

He said broken promises on would-be spouses who have committed themselves to get married, could be sued in court for compensation.

The legal luminary said it was high time Parliament ratified the law on marriage and spousal property to streamline the marital institution.

The Ellembelle District Director at the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE), Mr Samuel Aibi who spoke on Exposition on Civic Rights and Responsibilities of Every Citizen, urged Ghanaians to know their rights and civic duties and contribute meaningfully to nation building.

He reminded Ghanaians that it was their civic duty to vote in the upcoming general elections.

Earlier in a welcoming address, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle, Mr. Kwasi Bonzoh said ignorance of the law is no excuse and thanked the Judicial Service of Ghana for the outreach programme.

He advised the people to take advantage of the programme and respect the law.

Mr. Bonzoh said Ellembelle was a peaceful and fastest growing District in the Western Region.

The programme was successful and coordinated by the Ellembelle District Magistrate, Her Worship Awo Amissah French.

The Judicial outreach programme started in 2015 and had engaged areas like Sefwi-Wiawso, Bono, Prampram and Axim.