The Judicial Council of Ghana has engaged in a significant reconciliation effort with Tongoraan Kolbilsong Namalteng, the Paramount Chief of Talensi in the Upper East Region.
It could be recalled a few months ago, two individuals Richard Sunday Yinbil, Secretary to the Paramount Chief, and Naab Nyakora Mantii, the chief of Baare were charged with contempt for an act the court said was an attempt to influence the Bolgatanga High Court judge, His Lordship Alexander Graham. The incident later led His Lordship Alexander Graham to leave the region for matters best known to him.
But the Council on 26th June 2023 through a four-Member delegation from Accra led by the Supreme Court Judge, His Lordship Justice Gabriel Pwamang indicated that the incident was highly publicised in the media and hence sought to restore the relationship between the Judiciary and traditional authorities.
“The Judicial Council looked beyond the Tong Rana to consider the wider implications the incident could have on relationships between the Judiciary and traditional authorities in Ghana as a whole. The Judicial Council, therefore, decided to hold deliberations with TongoRana and his elders to restore cooperation and goodwill that had existed between the Judiciary and the traditional authority.”
Speaking at the Chief’s Palace, His Lordship Justice Gabriel Pwamang further added that the visit was also to strengthen the long partnership that had existed between the judiciary service and traditional authorities across the country.
“It is very rare for the Judicial Council to undertake public events such as the one we are having today but as a constitutional body charged with overseeing the smooth administration of justice by the Judiciary of Ghana, there come times when the Council is required by Circumstances to interact with sections of the people of Ghana in the overwhelming interest of fulfilling its mandate.
“Over the years in this country, the Judiciary has found the traditional authorities of the various communities as partners in their quest to serve the public through resolving disputes that are taken to the law enforcement through hearing and determining criminal cases to ensure peace in our society.”
“When we arrived here this morning, we started by holding indoor deliberations with the Paramount Chief and his elders and I can assure you that the deliberations were fruitful and the Chief and elders now have a better appreciation of the incident and indicated their willingness to restore the long-standing co-operation between the Judiciary and the traditional leaders.”
The Paramount Chief, Tongo-Raana Kolbilsong Namalteng who was pleased to receive the delegation emphasised that the call for the Bolgatanga High Court judge, His Lordship Alexander Graham was deepen the cooperation between the traditional authorities and the Judiciary Service and not undermine his work.
With gratitude, the Paramount Chief assured the delegation of his continued support to strengthen the peaceful cooperation with the two entities for the growth of the region.
The four-member delegation included Supreme Court Judge, His Lordship Justice Gabriel Pwamang His Lordship Justice Aboagye Tandoh, Justices of the High Court, Mr. Yaw Acheampong Boafo, National President of Ghana Bar Association, Professor, Opoku Amenkwa, Government Nominee on the Judicial Council as well as Ms. Rosemary Nkroba, Deputy Director of Communications at the Judicial Service.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
