The Parliamentary Select Committee on Judiciary has raised alarm over the financial difficulties confronting lower courts across the country.

It warned that the inadequate funding was affecting the smooth administration of justice.

The committee observed that circuit and magistrate courts were struggling to meet basic operational needs even though they generate revenue through their activities.

According to the committee, all revenue collected by the courts are paid into the Consolidated Fund, leaving the courts without internally generated funds to support their day-to-day operations.

“So, we are going to make some recommendations specifically to the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund to consider making provisions for the lower courts, the circuit courts and the magistrate courts, so that they can have what is called ‘imprest’, which they will use to address some of the challenges confronting them,” the Ranking Member of the committee and Member of Parliament (MP) for Lawra, Bede Anwataazumo Ziedeng, said.

The committee undertook the monitoring visit to some court facilities in the Bono Region as part of its oversight responsibilities.

As part of the tour, the committee visited the Nsoatre District Magistrate Court, the Berekum Circuit Court and the Sunyani High Court.

The committee also inspected the Sunyani District Magistrate Court B which was destroyed by fire last month.

During the visit, it was observed that several lower courts operated from deteriorating buildings and grappled with inadequate residential accommodation for judges and magistrates, the lack of funds for maintenance and other operational challenges affecting justice delivery.

Lack of funds

Mr Ziedeng said many of the courts visited by the committee were operating under difficult conditions due to inadequate funding.

He explained that the proposed financial support would serve as imprest for minor repairs and operational expenses, including replacing broken furniture, repairing damaged ceilings and doors, fixing roofing sheets and purchasing electricity.

“In fact, even to purchase electricity, we visited some district courts and realised that once the prepaid credit runs out, they have nothing else to rely on. But if they have this imprest, they will be able to buy more credit and continue operating,” the Lawra lawmaker said.

Mr Ziedeng added that the committee would submit its recommendations to Parliament and engage relevant state institutions to secure financial support for the lower courts.

Touching on the Sunyani District Magistrate Court B, Mr Ziedeng said the extent of damage by the fire required urgent intervention and adequate funding to speed up reconstruction works.

“Without enough funding, it will not be easy to bring that place back to life. We will engage the Judicial Service to see whether a special allocation can be made for the reconstruction,” he said.

Limited lower court judges

The Chairman of the committee and MP for Nkawkaw, Joseph Frimpong, also expressed concern over the limited number of judges and magistrates at the lower courts.

He said the shortage had compelled some magistrates and judges to serve in multiple courts, a situation affecting the smooth delivery of justice.

“There is a judge who sits in about three different courts.

That means the judge hardly gets any rest.

When you consider the long distances between the towns and the fact that he has to travel daily in a rickety saloon car, you realise the extent of the challenge

 A lot needs to be done to support the judiciary in delivering justice to the people,” he said.