Parliament’s Judiciary Committee has promised to support the courts and legal education in Ghana's Upper West Region. They will tackle problems with too few staff and poor buildings. This support aims to improve how justice is delivered and how law is taught.
The Supervising Judge of the Wa High Court, Justice Osei Wusu-Antwi, told the committee about serious issues. He said many district courts have only one magistrate. This magistrate is covering three courts. The Tumu district court has no magistrate at all. This situation greatly slows down justice for people in that area. Poor roads also make it hard for judges to move to jobs in the region.
This situation affects the entire judicial system in Ghana. For years, there have been calls to improve access to justice across the country. The Upper West Region, being one of the least developed, often faces greater challenges. Data from Ghana's Judicial Service shows a consistent need for more judges and courtrooms. The recent establishment of a law faculty at the University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) further highlights the need for strong legal infrastructure and trained educators.
Bede Anwotaazuma Ziedeng, the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, stated their commitment. He said the committee helped release money to finish the Wa High Court complex. "We have oversight over the entire judiciary," Ziedeng said. "Whatever they present, and whatever we have seen on the ground, we take into consideration before preparing our report for Parliament." The committee plans to visit courts in Tumu, Jirapa, Nadowli, and Lawra.
The committee also met with UBIDS Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaaka Osumanu Kanton. He explained that running the law school is difficult. It is hard to find qualified teachers. Prof Kanton said they mostly use part-time lecturers, which costs the university a lot of money. The university is also trying to get more classrooms. It is converting the Upper West Hall, a former student hostel, for this purpose. Mr Ziedeng said the committee's job is to fix these problems.
The committee’s work will likely lead to more budget allocations for the judiciary. This could boost judge and magistrate recruitment. Better court facilities and roads might encourage more legal professionals to serve in remote areas. The law school's development will depend on these efforts. Universities and the government must work together for quality legal education.