Accra, June 6, GNA - The Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood at the weekend announced plans by the Ghana Judicial Service, to establish an integrative court complex dedicated to family justice, particularly the needs of women and children.

She said the court would in addition provide related support and care services for vulnerable groups, offer social justice and empower the citizenry to break the cycle of poverty, abuse and injustice. Mrs Wood made this known when a group of students taking part in this year's Fordham - Ghana Summer Law programme paid a courtesy call on her in Accra.

The delegation, led by Professor Paolo Galizzi, was made up of students from Fordham Law School in the US and the law faculties of the University of Ghana and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The Chief Justice who gave a brief exposition to the students on the structure and functions of the Judiciary Service and reform initiatives taken by the body, spoke about the establishment of Human Rights Courts in Accra and Kumasi and five district courts in Accra. She said the additional courts were created to serve the needs of women and children and juvenile justice.

Focusing on the five district courts she said the facilities would provide basic but congenial and a user- friendly environment for addressing expeditiously and efficiently, sensitive family law issues. Mrs Wood lauded the sustained relations between the Judicial Service and the Fordham Law School, which has culminated in training programmes for members of the Ghanaian bench.

Prof Paolo Galizzi commended the Chief Justice for some of the bold initiatives that her administration had introduced and the important role the Judiciary was playing in the expansion of the frontiers of democracy in Ghana.

He said he was particularly impressed by the establishment of the Human Rights Courts and the decision of the Supreme Court to grant franchise to prisoners who are registered voters. The delegation was given a guided tour of the courts and an opportunity to witness proceedings at the Commercial Court. 6