Work on new court complex completed
DTTYWork on a multi-million-dollar court complex in Accra to give the Judiciary a new lease of life has been completed.
The 42-room, fully furnished complex was financed by the government at a cost of $50 million.
The Judicial Service engaged Messrs Avangarde Design Services to design and supervise the construction of the complex, while actual construction was undertaken by the China State Hualong Construction Ghana Limited.
Briefing
Briefing the Daily Graphic on the project in Accra last Wednesday, a lead consultant of Avangarde Design Services, Mr Tony Yeboah-Asare, said the complex comprised 10 land courts, 10 commercial courts, six criminal courts and six general jurisdiction courts.
Others are three divorce and matrimonial courts, two financial and economic courts and two human rights courts.
The rest are two labour courts and one probate and administration court.
Facilities
Facilities at the complex include eight lifts, two exotic public courtyards with a water-harvesting facility and water storage tanks with a capacity of 72,000 gallons for domestic use and for firefighting.
All the 42 courtrooms have adjoining judges’ chambers, four registries, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) rooms and a clinic.
The state-of-the-art complex also has offices for banks, a data centre, a business centre, a cafeteria on each level for the public, staff of the Judicial Service and judges.
It also has a 300-seater auditorium, a library, executive offices for the Attorney-General and police prosecutors, an information centre and a media briefing room.
The complex has first-class consultation and waiting rooms and accommodation for vulnerable witnesses such as children, victims and relatives.
There are extensive facilities for lawyers and their clients, the media and juries within secure and segregated circulation.
There is also cell accommodation for 100 prisoners, a prison reception area, prison officers’ office and other ancillary facilities.
Mr Yeboah-Asare said the efficient delivery of services at the complex would be aided by modern Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure, adding that all the courtrooms had been enabled for digital recording, including a dedicated video conferencing facility in some specialised courtrooms.
Other main ICT services include a direct transcription system, wireless access as part of the local area network facility, a data centre with storage area network, a public address system, electronic signage, as well as telephony and dedicated Internet services.
The complex has dedicated closed-circuit television systems, uninterrupted power systems and high-capacity standby generators.
Writer’s email: victor.kwawukume@graphic.com.gh
