Accra, Feb. 26, GNA - Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Friday pledged to ensure that justice becomes accessible to all the citizenry irrespective of their status in the society.

She said the provision of efficient and transparent legal system was important to strengthening the rule of law and observance of human rights.

Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu made the pledge at the inauguration of the nine-member Ministerial Advisory Board (MAB) for the Ministry in Accra. The Board is to promote constant interactions between the Ministry; users of its services and advise the Minister on adjustments in policy directions, planning objectives and operational strategies. These are the Copyright Office, Registrar-General's Department, Ghana School of Law, the Council for Law Reporting, Legal Aid Scheme, Law Reform Commission and the Serious Fraud Office. Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu is the Chairperson and other members are Mr. Ebo Barton-Odro, Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Justice Abdullah Iddrisu of Ghana Judicial Service, Mr. Justice Kus-Minkah Premo, National Vice President, Ghana Bar Association and Professor Kofi Quashigah, Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon.

The rest are Mrs. Amma Gaisie, Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Suleiman Ahmed, Acting Chief Director, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Nii Osah Mills, Nii Osah Mills and Associate and a representative of the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Select Committee. Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu expressed concern about the high attrition rate among staff as a result of the appalling staff condition especially with regard to State Attorneys.

"I must, however add quickly that this will soon be a thing of the past as I have taken the steps to address this situation," she said. The Attorney General said another disturbing problem was the skewed distribution of Attorneys among the various grades, while the middle level grades such as Principal and Senior State Attorney were few, the lower grades such as Assistant State Attorneys were many and such a situation had created a huge problem for the Ministry in the discharge of its mandate.

Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu called on members of institutions operating under the Ministry to provide useful feedback to the Board to fashion out credible practices and policies which would respond to the needs of the people especially the less privileged in society. She asked members of the Board to bring their individual knowledge, skills and competence to bear on the performance of the Ministry.

"Indeed, we must acknowledge that it is an honour to be called upon to serve your nation in a special capacity," she said.