Chief Justice (CJ), Sophia Akuffo has said it is unacceptable for District Assemblies to use financial constraint as a reason for their inability to provide suitable court facilities. Under the Local Governance Act 2016(Act 936), it is the statutory responsibility of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to provide courthouses and residential accommodation for promotion of justice. She said the MMDAs have over the years blamed financial constraints as the reason for their inability to deliver their responsibility. “But I have always been of the view that because where there is a will, there is always a way, lack of funds can never be adequate justification for failing to provide adequate justice facilities in the districts and communities,” the CJ said. In the last one year, the CJ as part of ensuring that justice is delivered in a conducive environment has closed down some courthouses. According to her, an efficient and viable judiciary is one of the key requisites for any thriving democratic society. Despite work on improving on the constitutional and legal framework, the judiciary has to deal with physical infrastructure. Dodowa district magistrate court narrowly escaped closure following an assurance from Shai-Osudoku District Assembly to give it a facelift. Justice Sophia Akuffo reopening the solarised Dodowa magistrate court said she made a promise to grace the occasion should the Assembly deliver on its promise. With the solarized court, processes and proceedingswill not stall or be delayed due to power outage as it is the case in some communities. Judicial Service made extensive contribution to make the court a solar powered one. The dilapidated Dodowa district court like many others at a point in time had part of the structure being wooden. Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo said such challenges affect the quality and credible justice delivery. She commended Shai-Osudoku District for mobilizing funds to give the old court a new look. “My heart went out to the previous magistrate. My heart has been going out to most of the magistrates in courts in our remote areas who live in bad house, go on a bad road to a bad court where there is no place of convenience,” she lamented. Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo believes the reopened court will contribute immensely to the peace and justice delivery in the area. “Justice delivery, in turn, has a lot to do with the peace of our district. And peace in our district, in turn, has a lot to do with the growth and development of our district, she reminded the residents. Meanwhile, Shai-Osudoku District Chief Executive, Daniel Akuffo is requesting the court to set a day aside for sanitation cases. “ As we wait for our new bylaws to be gazetted, residents who refuse to clean their business areas will be sent to court. So I think we need to set a day aside to deal with such offenders as part of the bigger sanitation plan,” he said.