President Akufo-Addo says the construction of 60 courthouses has been completed across the country.

This is part of the targeted 120 courthouses project aimed at tackling the inadequate number of such facilities.

Delivering the State of the Nation Address on Wednesday, the President explained that some of the few buildings were not fit for purpose and his administration was determined to change the narrative.

“Through the Ministry of Local Government and the District Assembly Common Fund, Government has embarked on the construction of 120 courthouses with accompanying accommodations for judges across the country. Indeed, 60 have been completed, and the others are at various stages of completion,” he said.

The President said the completed structures were equipped to aid in the delivery of judiciary services.

“For the first time ever, we have the happy situation of purpose-built courthouses with accommodations that are waiting for judges to be appointed to put them to use,” he said.

“Six new Regional High Courts, fitted with judges’ residences, are also being constructed in the new regions, i.e., Ahafo, Bono East, North East, Oti, Savannah and Western North. Three of the courts, that is those in North East, Oti, and Savannah have been completed and commissioned. Those in Ahafo, Bono East and Western North Regions will be completed by April.”

The President said he also recently commissioned a court complex and handed over vehicles to help equip the judiciary.

“Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasant duty on October 17, 2022, to commission a new, modern Court of Appeal complex in Kumasi, together with 20 townhouses and a guesthouse to serve as permanent residences for Court of Appeal Judges based in Kumasi, who are mandated to handle appeals from the northern part of the country.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who generously gave the land, was present at the ceremony. It is a truly magnificent site and I recommend it to Honourable Members who go to Kumasi to pay a visit and see it for themselves.

“In addition, 210 vehicles were, earlier in 2022, distributed to all judges in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Lower Courts,” he added.