Cape Coast court complex closed down for renovation
The Cape Coast court complex has been closed down for emergency renovation.
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A statement from the Judicial Service dated February 7, 2017 and signed by Mr Justice Alex Poku-Acheampong, the Judicial Secretary, said the complex would be closed from Wednesday for an assessment by the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL).
It said a report received by the Chief Justice last Tuesday indicated that the building was in a deteriorating state, especially the concrete roof slabs, which required immediate attention.
The court complex, which is over 30 years, has seen little renovation.
Its closeness to the sea has contributed to its deteriorating state.
Situation
Many portions of the concrete slabs in the facility are wearing away.
There are leakages in the roofing so the offices get wet when it rains. The rest rooms are also in poor state.
Furniture in some of the offices have broken down and electrical wires also hang dangerously.
Disappointment
Some litigants who did not know about the emergency closure expressed disappointment at the development when they visited court yesterday.
Mr Cab Addae, a lawyer, said he travelled from Agona Swedru to Cape Coast only to be told that the court was not sitting.
He, however, agreed that the building in its current state posed a threat to lives of patrons and staff.
The court complex, which was inaugurated on October 9,1976, has nine courts: the Court of Appeal, three High Courts, two Commercial Courts, two Circuit Courts and a District Court.
Concrete slabs falling off
New court
During her visit to Cape Coast in 2010, the Chief Justice, Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, stated that plans were advanced for the Central Regional capital to have a new court complex.