Accra, Nov. 19, GNA - Mr Nicolas Lang, Swiss Ambassador in Ghana, on Monday commended the Chief Justice, Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, on her appointment as the first female Chief Justice in Commonwealth Africa.

Mr Lang said the appointment of Mrs Justice Wood was an important signal to Africa and the rest of the world that women could aspire to the highest of position in the judiciary. He made these remarks during a courtesy call on the Chief Justice at her office in Accra. He expressed confidence in Ghana's current democratic dispensation, which, he said, allowed people to speak their mind without any hindrance.

Mr Lang said he was satisfied with strides being made by the judiciary in terms of speedy trial and delivery of justice. "I am familiar with some of the judicial systems in the West African sub-region and I believe Ghana's system is among the best in the area."

Mr Lang called for support for women, saying they have an important role to play in the economic development of the country. Mrs Justice Wood said the judicial service was embarking on major reforms to build the capacity of judges through training, expanding facilities at the courts and automating some of the courts. She cited the commercial court as one of the "shining examples", which had increased investor confidence. Mrs Justice Wood urged the Swiss ambassador to look at areas where his government could be of help to the judicial service.