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Female judges key to eradication of negative cultural practices – President
Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo
The President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo has pointed out the pivotal role that female judges play in eliminating undesirable cultural practices, particularly among women and girls that impede their development.
He said the experience of female judges places them in a prime position to lend distinct perspectives and strengths to the cause of Justice and equity.
The President was speaking at the opening of the 18th International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) Conference in Accra on Monday.
The three-day conference aims to capitalise on previous successes and take advantage of the IAWJ’s unique position in bringing together judicial officers from around the world to discuss matters of mutual importance.
It is on the theme “Combating Negative Cultural Practices in Contemporary Times – The Role of Women Judges.”
President Akufo-Addo noted that having women at all levels of the judicial system across the continent not only increases respect for the judiciary but also fosters confidence in the justice delivery system.
He said the theme for the conference was a call to every member of the judicial system, particularly women judges, to “leverage our collective legal acumen to dismantle barriers to justice.”
The President noted that negative cultural practices were not just an affront to the victims but were “a blemish on our collective human conscience.”
“As judges and upholders of the law, you have the power to redefine norms and set precedents that protect the vulnerable and marginalised.
“In dealing with issues like gender-based violence, child marriage, widowhood rites and female genital mutilation – practices steeped in deep-rooted cultural norms – your voices and rulings can resonate deeply, driving societal transformation.
“It is imperative to acknowledge that the fight against these practices is not confined to the courtrooms. Education, awareness, and collaborative governance are critical. We must engage traditional leaders, educators, and communities to recalibrate mindsets and attitudes. It is in our schools, homes, and community gatherings where the foundational beliefs of our next generation are formed,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo urged female judges to uphold the ideals of fairness, equality, and justice in all their decisions to combat detrimental cultural traditions.
“Let them (judgments) be a beacon for those in the shadows of fear and oppression. Remember, each decision you make not only affects the individual in your courtroom but also sets a tone for what we, as a society, deem acceptable.
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Traders, ‘Okada’ riders take over Circle pavement
• Korle-Bu CEO with staff of Nivaansh MediQas
Activities of traders and drug addicts are contributing to make the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) area very uncomfortable and unsafe for commuters.
Day in and out, pedestrians are ‘ejected’ from the pavement created for their safety as traders preferred to sell their wares on that space.
That hinders the free movement of the pedestrians.
The small space left for the pedestrians are also shared with ‘Okada’ riders.
As if these woes are not enough for a commuter on a single day, they also have to navigate carefully to avoid clashes with drug addicts and the mentally challenged.
These people have turned the pavements into their places of abode, covering every inch of space with their wares.
Our photographer, Lizzy Okai, captures some of the unfriendly scenes the authorities must try and deal with to restore sanity to the area.
By Lizzy Okai
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NDC outlines demands before committing to Peace Pact
The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has set forth specific conditions that the party insists must be met before considering signing the Peace Pact advocated by the National Peace Council in anticipation of the December 7 elections.
Mr. Nketia expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of past Peace Pacts, highlighting that they had not achieved their intended outcomes, particularly referencing the 2020 elections, during which eight NDC members were allegedly killed by national security operatives without accountability.
During an August 20 meeting with the National Peace Council at the NDC headquarters, Mr. Nketia detailed the certain conditions for the NDC’s participation in the Peace Pact.
The NDC is demanding that the recommendations from the investigation into the violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election be fully implemented.
They also want those responsible for election-related violence in the last election to be prosecuted, stressing the importance of justice and prevention.
The party is calling for accountability regarding irregularities in the printing of ballot papers and insists that visible measures be taken to prevent such issues from happening again.
They are also pushing for a thorough investigation into the missing IT equipment from the Electoral Commission’s (EC) warehouse, expressing concerns about the integrity of the EC’s systems and the potential bias of its staff.
Furthermore, the NDC is urging the President to publicly commit to respecting the results of the 2024 elections. Lastly, the party insists that the Peace Pact should be signed by key figures, including the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, and the National Security Coordinator, before they will consider signing it themselves.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
