Judges and Magistrates have lamented the non-payment of their allowances on time, disclosing that their allowances are in arrears for several months.

According to the President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges, Justice Henry Kwofie, these allowances form an important part of their conditions of services and called on the government to honour this obligation.

Speaking at an annual conference of Judges and Magistrates, Justice Henry Kwofie explained that at the alarming rate of hike in food prices, it is necessary for their allowances to be paid on time so that it is not devalued.

“As I speak I am told that the fuel allowances for the first quarter was released only last week to the judicial service…I think that this is very necessary and that the situation where we always have to fight. You will recall My Lords that even this year some previous allowances outstanding from last year were paid and that was because of the instrumentality of the Chief Justice.

“I think that situation is not acceptable, allowances are part of our remuneration and we are entitled to it and we must be paid and paid promptly especially taking into consideration the recent increases in the price of fuel and petroleum products,” he lamented.

Justice Henry Kwofie also raised concerns about some courts which are in a deplorable state across the country and called on government to fix them.

Although he acknowledged government’s effort being made toward the accommodation of Judges, Justice Henry Kwofie said more needs to be done with respect to Judges' accommodation.

 “We want to draw the attention of the authorities while carrying out this infrastructural development of the very deplorable situation of the Cape Coast court complex. The Association has decided that we will drum home this deplorable condition of the Cape Coast court complex.

“The Cape Coast court is not fit for the purpose for which it was built and something urgently needs to be done about the Cape Coast court because it is not even safe for the Judges and the staff who work in that building and there is also the issue of an abandon High Court complex in Wa,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has charged judges to play a role in safeguarding the cyber rights of citizens and treat all who come before them equally under the law.

“Yours is to dispense justice and to uphold the rule of law irrespective of public clamour,” the Chief Justice urged.