Next NDC government to set up courts within the precincts of other prisons - Mahama

Presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to set up courts within the precincts of other prisons to ensure that prisoners are treated fairly, just as it has been done within the precincts of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.

He also pledged that the feeding and medical care of prisoners will be paramount under the next government of the NDC.

"We will conduct a comprehensive legal education review to expand access to legal education in Ghana. We need more lawyers to serve our national development goals in a democracy," he stated. 

Mr. Mahama made these comments during a governance forum in Accra on Thursday evening, October 31, 2024.

Dubbed: "Resetting Ghana for good governance and accountability", the forum offered the NDC's leader the opportunity to speak on various issues affecting the country's democratic governance system.

Mr Mahama noted that resetting Ghana to work in a 24-hour economy that will not only create jobs but also "means justice must not only be served but must be palpably seen to have been delivered."

That, he noted, the next NDC government will support the judiciary in enhancing access to justice and restoring confidence in the judiciary.

"My administration will depoliticise the administration of justice, respect the independence of the Judiciary, and see to the expeditious determination of cases through automation—virtual hearings, use of technology—and motivation of the judicial service to consider a shift system under the 24-hour economy," the NDC leader indicated.

Similarly, he indicated, the next NDC government will expand the child-friendly court programme to all regional capitals, including child-sensitive training for judges, court staff, and DOVVSU staff, and modernise Juvenile Correction Centres to foster effective rehabilitation and reintegration of young offenders into society.