Judges have expressed their frustration over the non-payment of their allowances.
At a press conference today, Wednesday, September 29, 2021, the judges stated that they are being treated as though a favour is being done to them with the payment of their allowances.
President of the Association of Judges and Magistrates Mr. Senyo Dzamefe complained that they have had to fight to ensure the payment of their allowances.
According to him, the issue of their unpaid allowance must be addressed.
Speaking during the 40th general meeting of the Association he noted that “Payment of allowances has become one of the biggest issues for the association.
“It is sad that judges in Ghana will have to fight every year for their legitimate allowances to be paid.
Aside from the unpaid allowance, he complained bitterly over the poor state of some court buildings and their accommodation.
“We also wish to mention the deplorable state of some court buildings in the country. We still do not have any CCTV in the Supreme Court room, let alone the other courts.”
Reacting to the concerns, the Chief Justice, Kwesi Anin-Yeboah said judges are supposed to be servants and not masters.
“We as judges in modern society are not [masters] but rather servants. Servants of the people in the highest and most honorable sense.
“Our tasks are more defined which is why we are expected to perform it well and efficiently to be responsive and responsible. The modern day judge will suffer if the people see our institution as a citadel of entrenched elitism, exclusivity and privileged, ignorant to obvious changes and to the needs of the most honorable.
“Indeed, citizens will find it most hard to accept the judiciary as the guarantor of law and human rights if the judges themselves act in a discriminatory manner and I hope that this is not what is happening in this country.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
