Accra (Greater Accra) 5 Feb '99

The Ministry of Justice has been allocated 11.6 billion cedis to be used in strengthening institutions under it and to provide logistic support. Presenting this year's budget in Parliament today, Mr Richard Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance, said projects earmarked include construction of office and residential accommodation at Kumasi, Koforidua, Sefwi-Wiawso, Tarkwa, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Swedru, Obuasi, Goaso, Nkawkaw and five other district capitals for the Attorney-General's Department. A library complex will be built for the Law School in Accra, an office block for the Council for Law Reporting, head office block for the Legal Aid Board and a new head office complex for the Serious Fraud Office. Mr Peprah said five commercial courts and 10 tax courts as well as additional community tribunals will be established. The programme for computerisation of courts will be pursued as well as the renovation of court buildings and residential houses. Mr Peprah said 21.4 billion cedis has been provided for the Judicial Service and that projects earmarked include construction of a High Court Complex at Tema, renovation of Supreme Court buildings in Accra and the renovation of Ho High Court Complex. The others are rehabilitation of Kumasi high Court Complex and Judicial Service building, construction of Sunyani and Cape Coast High Court buildings, construction of a new administrative block for Accra and construction of bungalows at Tamale. He said 6.2 billion cedis has been allocated to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice to extend its presence and services to all regions and districts. This amount will be used in strengthening it as well as to recruit and train additional staff and provide logistics. Other projects earmarked are completion of two residential accommodation, rehabilitation of its Accra offices, purchase of vehicles, 40 motor bikes, furniture, fittings and office equipment.