The people in Asunafo District of Brong Ahafo prefer to seek redress in spousal and other family cases at the courts instead of the office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

Mr Oman Mprah, District Director of the Commission, said complainants had argued that the Commission did not allow them to shift their overheads to defendants as was done by the courts.

He said the number of spousal and child maintenance cases brought before the district CHRAJ office dropped from 53 in 2001 to 37 last year, while cases on estate devolution among surviving spouses and families also reduced by 66 per cent.

"The sharp fall in figures does not mean such cases are no longer rampant in the district but it is because the complainants prefer to seek redress at the courts".

The CHRAJ Director explained that the Commission had the mandate to resolve issues amicably at minimum or zero cost and listening to only the complainants would defeat the Commission's mission statement.

Mr Mprah expressed concern about the lukewarm attitude of some defendants towards the Commission and urged the public to assist it to deliver on its mandate.

He called for respect for all statutory provisions on children's rights and the Intestate Succession Law, PNDCL 111, which were yet to gain roots in the district.

The District Director appealed to divorced spouses to provide adequately for the survival and development of their children.