The Chief Justice, Sophia Akuffo, has ordered the closure of the Adjabeng Circuit Court ‘2’ with immediate effect due to its deplorable state.
The building that houses the courtroom and its offices, is built with asbestos, poorly lit, and has scattered offices on the compound which previously housed the AMA Office.
The Chief Justices was so concerned she even threatened to sue the AMA if it did not tackle the asbestos on the building.
“If after we move, the building remains, as a private citizen, I will sue the assembly for keeping an asbestos building. Not only the roof but the sides are also asbestos. It is against the building code.”
She gave the directive when she visited the court premises as part of her tour of some selected courts within Accra to assess the state of courtrooms, their offices and other related facilities.
Asbestos has for example been largely banned in U.S. because it is linked to various lung ailments.
Exposure to asbestos is said to increase the risks for some illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The asbestos in old buildings is normally damaged and because of the damage, tiny fibres are released into the air.
The Chief Justice has also given a six-month ultimatum to authorities of the Ledzokuku Krowu Municipal Assembly to reconstruct their courthouse.
The Chief Justice prior to today’s tour had been to courts in the Ashanti Region, Western Region, North East Region and the Upper East Region.
Addressing authorities of LEKMA she cautioned that the court will be shut down if the renovation is not done within the stipulated deadline.