The Chief Justice, Justice Annin Yeboah, has asked Judges and Magistrates to only hear cases which are of extreme urgency as Ghana takes measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
“Judges and Magistrates should only hear cases which are of extreme urgency and as far as possible, exercise great restraint in remanding accused persons, in order to avoid overcrowding the prisons and police cells,” a statement outlining the Judiciary’s preventive measures against the deadly virus read.
This order comes on the back of an order by President Nana Akufo-Addo banning public gatherings in the country, following the most recent cases of the novel coronavirus in the country.
On Sunday, the government disclosed that Ghana had recorded four more cases of the virus.
Justice Yeboah has also advised, among other things, the exercise of maximum restraint in remanding accused persons to avoid overcrowding at the prisons and police cells.
According to the statement, “sanitizers are being provided for court users and arrangements are being made to have the court rooms regularly disinfected.”
Ban on public gatherings
The government of Ghana on Sunday, March 15, 2020, as part of efforts to stop the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) announced new public gathering advisories.
The advisories were given by President Nana Akufo-Addo in a special national address following the announcement of four new confirmed cases of the disease in the country.
Among other things, universities, senior high schools and basic schools have been asked to close down effective Monday, March 16, 2020.
Concerts, workshops, sporting events and all religious events have also been banned by the President.
He noted in his address that the ban will be in force for the next four weeks.
New travel directives
Aside the public gathering directives, the government has also announced new travel directives for persons seeking to enter Ghana after the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in Ghana.
At a press briefing on Sunday, before the President’s national address, the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah disclosed that travellers from coronavirus-hit countries with cases exceeding 200 will not be allowed in the Ghanaian jurisdiction.
The Information Minister also disclosed that travels to Ghana are strongly discouraged following the outbreak.
