The Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo has launched a pilot solar power system at the Winneba High Court, Monday.

The launch of the 39,000 Australian dollars solar powered Winneba court is part of a new policy by the judiciary to use solar energy to power the country’s courts.

It is also in fulfilment of the vision of the Chief Justice to achieve seamless linkage of all courts across the country through the system of solarization.

“The Judicial Service is collaborating with the Ministry of Energy to provide all District Courts with solar powered energy to reduce the reliance on conventional electricity supply and reduce the service’s increasing utility bills with an added benefit of cost savings," the Chief Justice said.

At least two other courts, the Weija Circuit and District courts and the Sege District will also be solarized under the pilot project.

The Service is also considering the solarization of ten other courts, including the Assin Fosu District court, Mampong Ashanti District Court, Adentan District Court and Sowutuom District Court.

The project which is funded by the Australian High Commission in Ghana is an initiative aimed at improving the energy efficiency and effectiveness of court operations in Ghana.

“The solarisation is envisaged to be cost saving measure for the judicial service as the cost of energy obtained from the National Electricity Grid continuous to rise,” the Chief Justice said in her address to stakeholders at the launching ceremony.

She appealed to workers of the court to treasure what they have been given and exercise proper stewardship of the building and its equipment.

“The importance of timely maintenance cannot be overemphasized,” she said

Mrs Sophia Akuffo chronicled six major pillars underpinning her administration.

Apart from the solarization policy which is one of the key pillars, Mrs Akuffo mentioned capacity building for the judiciary and the judicial service, planning, monitoring and evaluation, quality service, review of rules and procedure to establish new standards and mobilization and effective utilization of internal resources.

The Australian High Commissioner Andrew said the idea of solarization of the court said it was easy to harness the power of the sun and put it to better use.

He was glad the High Commission was the country of choice in helping the Chief Justice achieve her dream of solarization of the court.

“This project matters and it matters for a number of reasons…confidence in the judicial service, in the judicial system is a government’s ability to resolve legal issues fairly and effectively is critical. It underpins people’s faith in Ghana’s democratic system.

“By ensuring a reliable power supply the solarization of the Winneba Court will help the Magistrate and the judicial staff here continue their important work here without interruption,” he said.

He also touted a number of projects his country has partnered Ghana in, to ensure its execution.