By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), June 6, GNA â Tension is mounting in the Ketu South Municipality following a seven-day ultimatum issued to the Municipal Assembly to address structural defects at the Denu High Court building at Tokor.
The ultimatum was issued by a concerned citizen and human rights advocate, Mr Gilbert Korbla Keklie, who is demanding urgent renovation works on the facility, citing safety concerns and disruption to justice delivery.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Keklie warned that failure by the Assembly to act within the stipulated period would compel him to initiate legal action.
He said he would file an application for an order of mandamus at the High Court to compel the Assembly to fulfil its statutory obligations.
He explained that a mandamus order is a legal remedy used to compel public institutions to perform duties required by law.
âThe Assemblyâs prolonged inaction is a direct threat to the administration of justice in Ketu South. Allowing the court building to deteriorate further undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in the judicial system,â he stated.
Mr Keklie stressed that a functional court system was essential to maintaining law and order, adding that neglect of the facility amounted to denying citizens their constitutional right to access justice.
He noted that the condition of the building had deteriorated to the extent that court sittings at the Denu High Court had been suspended, leaving litigants, lawyers, and residents without a local venue to resolve civil and criminal cases.
The suspension, he explained, had also resulted in case backlogs and forced residents to seek judicial services in neighbouring districts, increasing costs and delaying justice delivery.
Mr Keklie disclosed that the Assembly had been aware of the deteriorating condition of the facility for nearly two months but had taken no concrete steps to address the situation.
He expressed concern that no temporary arrangements had been made to accommodate court sittings while plans for permanent repairs were being considered.
The human rights advocate based his demand on Article 41(b) of the 1992 Constitution, which enjoins citizens to uphold and defend the Constitution and the law. He said his action was in fulfilment of that civic duty and urged the Assembly to equally protect public infrastructure that supports democracy and justice.
He also cited Section 12(3)(h) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended, which mandates municipal assemblies to ensure ready access to courts and judicial services within their jurisdictions.
He argued that failure to maintain the High Court facility constituted a breach of that obligation.
Mr Keklie further described the Assemblyâs continued inaction as an abdication of responsibility, noting that the law does not permit assemblies to neglect facilities essential for governance and justice delivery.
He proposed two immediate measures: the provision of a temporary courtroom to allow sittings to resume, or the commencement of work on a permanent structure to restore judicial services.
He warned that failure to comply within the deadline would result in legal action, adding that Section 37 of the Local Governance Act could be invoked to allow higher authorities to intervene where an assembly fails to perform its functions.
Mr Keklie told GNA that a formal notice had been served on the Municipal Chief Executive and copied to key stakeholders, including the Presiding Member of the Assembly, the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, and the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.
He emphasised that the suspension of court sittings had adversely affected the delivery of justice in the municipality, particularly in the resolution of land disputes, family matters, and criminal cases.
Other residents have also called on the Assembly to take urgent steps to restore judicial services and ease the hardship caused by the closure.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah