A new Child Friendly-Gender Based Violence Court (CF-GBVC) has been commissioned at Akropong, a community in the Atwima Nwabiagya District of the Ashanti region.

The new Court, commissioned by the Chief Justice, Justice Anin Yeboah, will handle cases of abuse of women, men and children.

The facility, funded by UNICEF, comprises a child testifying room and children’s playroom with books and toys to be used by them as they wait for court proceedings as well as a CCTV system to ensure adequate security.

Justice Anin Yeboah, speaking at the inauguration, said situations on gender-based violence and crimes against children were rampant in Ghanaian society.

He said it was unfortunate that a small percentage of these cases were brought to trial for successful prosecution.

This, according to him, was due to the social structure and cultural beliefs, which prevented people from bringing such cases for trial.

Justice Anin Yeboah said the court would enable children to testify from a different room via a two-way video system, and removed from their alleged abusers.

He said the Direct Transcription System associated with the court would also increase the efficiency of the entire process by making records of proceedings available on the same day.

The Chief Justice said the Judicial Service was fully aware of its responsibility to children, women and the vulnerable.

“We appreciate in full measure that the conditions of these groups directly affect and have a real effect on our development as a country; we will continue to make every effort to ensure that the justice system protects and preserves their safety and security,” he stated.

He urged the workers to remain faithful to the pledge and represent the safety and security of the people of Akropng.

Justice Anin Yeboah commended UNICEF for the support and urged Ghanaians to trust the court to deliver justice to these vulnerable people in society and bring perpetrators to book.

Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, said the Child Friendly-Gender Based Concept being implemented by the Judicial Service was a very good initiative to advance the rights of a child in contact with the law.

He urged the managers of the facility to play their roles well to achieve the intended purpose.

Ms Dufay Anne-Claire, the Country Representative of UNICEF, said every year in Ghana, close to 15,000 cases of violence against children were reported to law enforcement institutions.

She said recent data showed that over 38 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 years had reported experiencing at least one act of sexual violence.

The new child-friendly court would, therefore, help transform the experience of thousands of children, enabling them to have easier access to justice with a safer and more comfortable opportunity to testify and provide evidence.

The Ashanti Regional Supervising High Court Judge, Justice Kofi Akrowiah, said the court was designed to provide a welcoming and friendly atmosphere for child victims and women who were traumatized as a result of domestic and gender-based abuse and brought to court to testify.

He commended the management of the Judicial Service under the determined leadership of the Chief Justice and UNICEF, saying their intervention would go a long way to enhance citizens access to justice.