The Chief Justice, His Lordship Kwasi Anin Yeboah, has cautioned traditional Chiefs against handling child abuse and gender-based violence cases in their palaces, rather, such cases should be referred to the Courts. The Chief Justice was speaking at the inauguration of One of Nine child friendly gender-based violence courts in the country at Dormaa Ahenkro in the Bono Region.
Ghana’s Judiciary Service with support from UNICEF and the Danish Government has created nine Gender Based Violence Courts aimed at addressing the needs of especially Women and Children.
The Gender Based Violence Courts are to make the courts less daunting for children and facilitate easy access to the Justice System in the country.
The refurbished Court has well-furnished holding and testifying rooms stocked with books, toys, TV sets and a CCTV system which would ensure that a child never comes face to face with an accused person.
A Representative of UNICEF and a Child Protection Specialist, Hilda Mensah, emphasized the importance of making the court system child friendly to ease access to justice for the most vulnerable.
By Nelson Ayivor