Judges, Magistrates in Ghana are frustrated over delayed allowances – Justice Dzamefe

A Justice of the Court of Appeal and the outgoing President of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, has noted that Judges and Magistrates in Ghana are very frustrated about the perennial delays in payment of their allowances.

He noted that as of September 2021, Judges have still not received their fuel allowances for the year. Thus they are frustrated about the way their allowances are paid as if it is a favor being done to them.

He added that the allowances for Judges have always been paid as refunds which are taxed twice.

“Year in year out we have complained about the issue of non-payment of our allowances or delays in doing so. Like we said in 2019, payment of allowances has become one of the biggest issues for the Association. It is sad that Judges in Ghana will have to fight every year for their legitimate allowances to be paid,” he noted.

“As of September 2021, we still have not received any fuel allowance for the year. Mr.Chairman, it is so frustrating, to say the least. Mr.Chairman without mincing words we are so frustrated. We feel disrespected about the way our allowances are paid as if it is a favor being done us,” he added.

Justice Dzamefe made this statement when he delivered an address at the opening of the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Association of Magistrates and Judges of Ghana on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at the Labadi Beach Hotel.

This year’s Annual General Meeting is on the theme:” THE QUANDARY OF THE JUDGE IN THE DIGITAL WORLD.”

Additionally, he spoke on several issues bothering Judges and Magistrates’ welfare.

BOOK AND ROBING ALLOWANCES

He noted that the last book and research allowance was paid in 2019. Also robing allowance for 2021 has still not been paid.

ACCOMMODATION

Justice Dzamefe commended the fact that Judges have gotten 21 townhouses at Cantonment. He noted however, that they have structural defects.

Furthermore, the houses are directly on the flight path from the Kotoka International Airport. Thus they suffer from the terrible noise from plane take-offs.

SECURITY OF JUDGES

He indicated that Judges as of today, do not have CCTV cameras in the Supreme Court let alone other courts. Also, he revealed that there have been incidents of hooligans entering a court in session to snatch an accused standing trial in a manner akin to taking Judges’ security for granted.

VEHICLES

Though vehicles are part of Judges condition service, he noted that some of them still do not have cars or at best, are using old rickety cars.

FURNITURE

Justice Dzamefe further revealed that he has been using the same swivel chair in his chamber for the past eleven(11) years until he bought a new one this year on his doctor’s advice. He mentioned for a fact that a lot of the Judges and Magistrates are going through his situation.

SALARIES

Although Superior Court Judges have recently received their salary adjustments, he indicated that the same cannot be said about the lower courts.

The Annual General Meeting also saw the election of new Executives to steer the affairs of the Association of Judges and Magistrates of Ghana (AJMG). They are:

HL Henry Kwofie – President (elected unopposed)

HL Olivia Obeng Owusu – Vice President (elected unopposed)

HL Dora Eshun – Secretary (96 votes)

HL Yaw Opoku Achampong – Asst. Secretary (elected unopposed)

HL Afia Owusuaa Appiah – Treasurer (141 votes)

HH Felix Datsomor – Asst. Treasurer (elected unopposed)