Accra, March 31, GNA - Over 300 Chief Justices, Magistrates, Judges and other High Court officials would this year's annual Conference and Council Meeting of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (CMJA) from July 31 through August 5, in Accra when Ghana hosts the Conference for the first time in West Africa.
The Conference being organised by the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana (AMJG), the Judicial Service of Ghana and the CMJA would be held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.
Under the theme, "Judicial Reforms Within the Commonwealth - Impact, Driving Force and the Future", the event would feature CMJA 2005 Conference, CMGA Council Meeting, study tour of Ghana's Court System and an exhibition.
Highlights of the five-day programme would include judicial reforms in the Commonwealth, evaluation and challenges to judiciaries in the Commonwealth, techniques in minimizing delays in court proceedings and continuing judicial education.
The Chief Justice, Mr Justice George Kingsley Acquah who inaugurated a 10-member Planning Committee to prepare the grounds for the conference on Thursday said the Conference would offer the opportunity for Ghana to showcase itself to the world and to open itself to the international community.
Members of the Committee are Mr Justice Acquah, Honorary Chairman, Mr Justice S.N. Gbadegbe, Chairman, Mr Justice G.M. Quaye, a Council Member and Vice President of CMJA and Mr Justice Yaw Appau, President of AMJG.
Others are Ms Justice Margaret Insaidoo, Mrs Justice Olivia Obeng Owusu, Mr Owusu Ansah, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ms Nana Yaa Osei-Brimpong, Director, Ministry of Justice, Mr Kwabena Ahiabenu, Conference Organiser and Mrs Regina Apotsi, Judicial Secretary.
Mr Justice Appau told the GNA that the Association was founded in 1970 as the Commonwealth Magistrates Association and the current name was adopted in 1998.
"The CMJA is a unique international association, which brings together judicial officers from over 68 jurisdictions in the Commonwealth and beyond," he added.
The CMJA's aims and objectives include advancement of the administration of the law by promoting the independence of the judiciary and education in the law, the administration of justice, treatment of offenders and prevention of crime within the Commonwealth.
Other objectives are the dissemination of information and literature on all matters of interest concerning the legal process within the various countries comprising the Commonwealth.