Accra, March 2, GNA – The Minister of Justice and Attorney General has inaugurated a nine-member governing board of the Law Reform Commission with a call on members to accord priority to legislation that has an immediate practical effect on the life of the Ghanaian as well as feasible solutions to improving law practice in the country.
“It will be refreshing to receive a proposal for a review of the current Criminal Procedure Act, Act 30, in a manner as to aid in a real expeditious determination of summary trials.”
Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame said, “I consider the tendency for a summary trial to stay in a trial court for upwards of four years as unhealthy and defeatist of the constitutional imperative for a fair hearing within a reasonable time in Article 19 (1) of the Constitution.”
Mr Dame said the Attorney General’s office was examining the possibility of amending Act 30 to virtually bar the possibility of persons utilising interlocutory appeals that frustrate the speedy resolution of criminal trials.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General indicated that a Bill for the reform of the law on Occupier’s Liability initiated by the Commission has come to his attention recently and he had directed stakeholders’ engagement as part of the process for legislative enactment.
He lauded the Commission for contributing to the amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1960 (Act 30) that incorporated plea bargaining firmly into the trial of cases in Ghana.
“I consider the plea-bargaining legislation a significant innovation in the process of reform of the criminal justice system in Ghana, as it will have the ultimate practical result of easing congestion in our prisons and improving the efficacy of prosecution,” he opined.
The Minister of Justice said he was aware of the commission’s dreadful financial hardship the Commission was facing as well as its fresh budget for retooling and staff development.
He pledged to ensure that the Commission’s challenges were resolved.
Mr Dame said the way to go with the Law Reform Commission was to set up a law reform Fund in accordance with section 10 of Act 822.
He explained that the fund which would be managed by the Board would be used to undertake projects for the development and reform of laws, development of human resources and other purposes the board may determine.
He was not enthused that to date, the law reform Fund had not been set up.
“I will work with the board to ensure the immediate establishment of the Fund and the contribution of a significant amount by the government as seed money. I trust the board to also come up with innovative means of ensuring that sufficient contributions, donations, and grants are made to the fund, for a smooth discharge of the sublime objects of the Commission.
I am of a strong conviction that, properly assisted, the functions of the law Reform Commission of which you constitute the governing board, portend the capacity to positively aid in the socio-economic transformation of our republic.
The Nine-member board, which has Mr Akoto Ampaw, a private legal practitioner, as the chairperson, is among others to prepare and submit through the Minister of Justice proposals for the examination of different aspects of the law, make practical recommendations for the development, simplification and modernisation of the law.
It is also to obtain information on the legal systems of other countries that may facilitate the process of law reform in Ghana.
Mr Akoto Ampaw says the Commission would need GHC1.5 million in the short term to meet its needs.
He assured the minister that the Commission would play its role effectively, saying “we will, therefore, need the support of the Ministry.
Other members are Madam Anita Heyman Ababio, Mr Henry Kwesi Prempeh, Dr Ernest Owusu-Dapaa, Justice Gertrude Araba Essaba Torkonoo, Justice Yonny Kulendi, Naa Odofoley Nortey, Madam Ellen Bannerman-Achiampong and Mr Bright Okyere Adjekum.
GNA