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Don’t settle rape, defilement cases at home – Appeals Court Judge
Justice Mensah -Homiah addressing participants at the durbar
An Appeals Court Judge, Justice Angelina Mensah-Homiah, has urged opinion and community leaders not to entertain or settle cases of crime at home.
“When Imams, market queens, parents, families, come to you, don’t settle these serious cases like rape or defilement, at home. It’s the jurisdiction of the courts. It’s not all matters that are amenable to settlement,” she stressed.
Justice Mensah-Homiah gave the advice at a durbar held last Friday, to mark the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) week in the Western Region on the theme “Building pillars of justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).”
Quoting Section 1 of the ADR Act 2010, Act 798, she explained “Clearly cases which cannot be settled by ADR include matters pertaining to the national or public interest, the environment, the enforcement and interpretation of the Constitution and any other matter that by law cannot be settled by an alternative dispute resolution method.”
“So for cases like galamsey and corruption, we will litigate in court,not at home. However, for ‘smaller’ cases like insulting someone, you can settle them at home,” Mrs Mensah-Homiah told the gathering.
She explained that any court, with criminal jurisdiction may promote reconciliation, encourage and facilitate a settlement in an amicable manner of any offence not amounting to crime.
She said, the settlement might not be aggravated in degree, on payment of compensation or on other terms approved by the court before which the case was tried.
Justice Mensah-Homiah said “The Court shall have a duty to encourage the amicable resolution of commercial claims and early settlement of pending commercial litigation by voluntary action of the parties in accordance with the provisions of this Order.”
“Our Courts can only be said to be ‘user-friendly’ when the adjudication process was expeditious, transparent, devoid of unnecessary expense and cases were completely and effectively determined”, she said.
The Judicial Service, Mrs Mensah- Homiah said, adopted ADR in 2005, to enhance access to Justice, promote privacy, encourage and build relationships, adding it promoted voluntary settlements.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Fijai
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
