July 29, 2024
Chief Justice G. Sackey Torkornoo on Tuesday, 23rd July, 2024, swore in some six (6) new District Magistrates at a ceremony in Accra with a call on the new magistrates to sharpen their knowledge and proficiency in ICT.
The six new magistrates, comprise five (5) females and a male. They are Miss Amy Bondzie-Hanson, Ms Ama Benieh Kwaw-Swanzy, Miss Sandra Xorlali Lavison, Miss Yvonne Nakie Nanor, Miss Yvonne Nelly Ama Adjadi and Mr Lord Delvin Essandoh.
The appointment and swearing in of the six magistrates follows the appointments of some 23 magistrates in March, 2024, highlighting both the manpower deficit at that level of the Judiciary and the resolve and efforts of government and the management of the Judicial Service to improving justice delivery at the district courts; the first ports of call for redress within the Ghanaian legal system.
They took three oaths – Oath of Allegiance, Judicial Oath and Oath of Secrecy, administered by the Chief Justice, witnessed by some judges of the Superior Courts, friends and family of the new magistrates.
The district court is the “lowest” of the courts and are established under the section 45 of the Courts Act, 1993, Act 459 (as amended by Act 620, of 2002). Per section 46 (1) of the Act, A person shall not be appointed a District Magistrate unless they are of high moral character and proven integrity.
District Magistrates in Ghana have the jurisdiction to try summary offences that are punishable by fine not exceeding five hundred penalty units or for imprisonment to a term not exceeding two (2) years.
In civil matters, following the coming into force of the L. I. 2429, it’s civil jurisdiction in all personal actions arising under contract, tort, or for the recovery of liquidated claims, probate and letters of administration is now up to GHC 500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis). Similarly, its civil jurisdiction is limited in monetary value to the same GHC 500,000, unlike the Circuit Court.
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