Accra, July 9, GNA - Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Thursday said that 50 courts had been fully automated with 15 other courts partially automated in the country. Twenty-two circuits and district courts have also been automated under various projects, out of which 17 were funded by the Danish Development Agency and United Nations Development Programme and the remaining five were financed by the Government of Ghana.

The 22 courts include, Domestic Violence Court-Circuit Court 5, Cocoa Affairs Court, Accra, Juaben, Kumasi, Koforidua, Ashaiman, Cape Coast, District and Juvenile, Nalerigu, Koforidua District Court, Tuobodom District Court, Akim Oda District Court, Wassa Akropong District Court, Wassa Akropong District Court, Ho District Court, Apam District Court and Tamale District Court, Others were Ejisu District Court, Bibiani District Court, Dunkwa-On-Offin District Court, Tarkwa District Court, Asesewa District Court, Dzodze District Court and Jasikan District Court.

Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu, who was answering questions on the floor of Parliament, said that 32 High Courts and three Appellate Courts have been automated and the Land Administration projects also funded automation of four of these courts (land courts in Accra). She said that DANIDA funded the six Commercial Courts and the Government of Ghana funded the remaining 25 courts. Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu explained that automation of the courts was a function of the Judicial Service and the process was an ongoing. She said that by the end of 2010, another 23 courts would have been fully automated.

Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu said that work was partially completed at the some Circuit and District courts and so far recording and transcription equipment had been supplied and installed.

These include Apam, Ajumako, Agona, Axim, Goaso, Suhum, Madina, Dodowa, Sunyani district courts and Tamale, Nsawam, Agona, Mpraeso, Krobo Odumase, Sogakope, Keta, Aflao, Hohoe, Kpando circuit courts. Testing of equipment was currently underway and training of relevant staff yet to be done.

Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu noted that under the private sector development strategy project, Ho, Koforidua, Kumasi, Takoradi and Accra Circuit courts were being considered for automation and the consultancy phase has commenced.

She said only one Circuit Court in Kumasi has been automated at the moment and explained that the Judicial Service was distinct and not obliged to liaise with the Ministry of Communication on the project. Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu said that the automation was not as fast as expected due to lack of adequate funds.

The automation involves the provision and installation of recording and transcription machines, recruitment and training of relevant staff to handle the equipment and the conversion of manual documents into electronic formats.

It requires a lot of funds to undertake renovations of the courthouses, burglar proofing and the cost of equipment and maintenance.