Judges and Magistrates want the piecemeal approach to their allowances ended
Judges and magistrates across the country have expressed displeasure at how allowances due to them are being paid.
President of the Association of Judges and Magistrates, Justice Senyo Dzamefe also complained about the piecemeal approach in which issues regarding their allowances are being handled.
He has therefore entreated the government to as a matter of urgency address issues regarding their conditions of service since it is nothing to write home about.
He revealed this situation during the opening ceremony of the Annual General Meeting of the association on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, complaining bitterly of the tussle judges and magistrates in Ghana have to go through before their allowances are paid, stressing that for them they are particularly concerned about how their allowances are delayed describing the situation as sad.
Citing fuel allowances as an example, Justice Dzamefe said, “as of September 2021, we still have not received any fuel allowance for the year.
“It is so frustrating, to say the least; without mincing words, we are so frustrated. We feel disrespected about the way our allowances are paid. As if it is a favour being done us,” Mr Dzamefe complained.
He also revealed that there is disquiet about that for many years, as fuel allowances are always paid in arrears, “it has always been a refund”.
The Chief Justice, Justice Anin-Yeboah who graced the occasion, acknowledged the challenging conditions under which members of the association had to work but encouraged them to try and win the trust of the public, “we have serious constraints as an institution. In a population of over 30 million, we have less than 404 Judges and Magistrates administering justice in a litigious society like Ghana”.
He further urged them saying “the courts of justice may not easily be accessible to the poor or the legally aided litigant. However, we have to do our best within the limited logistics constraints to serve the justice needs of our compatriots.”
Justice Anin-Yeboah then seized the opportunity to applaud the Executive and the Legislature for the construction of new courts under the District Assembly Common Fund, “the judiciary is now to receive over a hundred courts throughout the country within the next year, “he announced.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
