Ghana Upper West: High Court Abandoned, 20-Year Delay Plagues Justice

• A multi-million-cedi High Court complex in Ghana's Upper West Region remains abandoned after over two decades of stalled construction.
• Legal professionals express fierce displeasure, citing the deserted site and unfulfilled promises from high-level delegations, including one led by Supreme Court Justice Yonny Kulendi.
• Existing court facilities, such as the Wa Circuit Court, suffer from severe structural deterioration and safety hazards, with staff lacking proper offices.
• The Ghana Bar Association and state prosecutors warn of daily dangers to occupants and call the situation a national embarrassment reflecting institutional neglect.

The current state of the existing court facilities, particularly the Wa Circuit Court, presents severe structural deterioration and daily safety hazards, with gaping, life-threatening cracks visible in critical areas.

Legal professionals and state prosecutors in Ghana's Upper West Region are expressing fierce displeasure over the prolonged abandonment of the multi-million-cedi regional High Court complex. This crucial project, intended to provide modern judicial facilities, has remained stalled for over two decades, leaving the regional capital without a single purpose-built modern courtroom.

As of early September, the construction site for the Ghana Upper West High Court complex stands deserted, with equipment removed and gates left open. Uninstalled fittings are exposed to potential theft, and fresh paint, applied less than three months prior, is already peeling from the exterior walls, signaling both neglect and questionable workmanship. This situation has been described by local legal figures as a "cemetery," symbolizing two decades of unfulfilled expectations.

The current state of the existing court facilities, particularly the Wa Circuit Court, presents severe structural deterioration and daily safety hazards, with gaping, life-threatening cracks visible in critical areas. Occupants, including judges, lawyers, and litigants, face constant risks due to the decaying infrastructure.

Beyond the safety concerns, the operational courts, including the High, District, and Circuit Courts, are forced to function out of colonial-era and temporary makeshift structures. Staff members lack proper offices, often sharing space with litigants and even consuming meals within the courtroom itself. Years ago, former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo reportedly threatened to shut down the court due to its deplorable condition, yet despite a growing population, no significant improvements have been made.

The abandonment of the Upper West High Court project delay comes despite numerous high-profile inspections and firm commitments from national delegations. In April, the national executive committee of the Ghana Bar Association Wa chapter visited the site and received assurances that the building would be completed within three to four months. Subsequently, a team dispatched by the Chief Justice, led by Supreme Court Justice Yonny Kulendi Ghana and accompanied by directors from the Judicial Service Ghana infrastructure department, also pledged completion within two to three months.

However, these deadlines have passed without progress, leaving legal practitioners deeply disappointed. Siddique Ubeidu, Chairman of the Ghana Bar Association in the Upper West Region, highlighted the frustration, noting that the site's current state, coupled with the peeling paint, suggests no immediate return of the contractor. Principal State Attorney for the Upper West Region, Saeed Abdul-Shakur, condemned the situation as a "national embarrassment" and evidence of "institutional neglect," questioning why a three-storey court complex takes decades to complete when other nations achieve monumental construction projects in far less time.

The dire state of judicial infrastructure in the Upper West Region carries profound implications for the administration of justice. Lawyers and compliance officers operating in the region face significant challenges, including potential impacts on case scheduling, client safety, and the overall efficiency of legal proceedings. The lack of modern, safe facilities not only compromises the dignity of the justice system but also poses daily risks to all involved.

This ongoing crisis underscores critical Ghana Bar Association Wa concerns regarding judicial infrastructure. With the High, District, and Circuit Courts collectively serving 11 districts from inadequate temporary structures, the sentiment among legal professionals is that they are effectively "delivering justice under trees."

Lawyers and compliance officers operating in Ghana's Upper West Region should be aware of the severe infrastructural deficiencies and safety hazards within the existing court facilities, which could impact case scheduling, client safety, and the overall efficiency of justice delivery. This situation also highlights a critical advocacy point for the Ghana Bar Association regarding judicial infrastructure.

Source: Original reporting via Rafiq Salam.