Upper West Lawyers Demand Justice: 20-Year-Old Court Project Must Be Completed
After two decades of broken promises, legal professionals in Ghana's Upper West Region are calling for urgent action to complete the abandoned High Court complex in Wa. Described as a 'cemetery' by frustrated lawyers, the stalled project symbolizes a broader challenge: the need for transparent governance and efficient public infrastructure delivery.
Why the abandoned court project matters for Ghana's future
The three-storey structure, meant to serve 11 districts, remains incomplete despite repeated assurances from national delegations. For a nation positioning itself as a hub for business and innovation in West Africa, such delays undermine investor confidence and public trust in institutions.
Regional leaders of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and the Office of the Attorney General revealed that the contractor, Project Seven Limited, has once again abandoned the site. Equipment has been removed, gates left open, and fresh paint is already peeling just three months after application, raising concerns about work quality.
Lawyers speak out: 'We cannot be delivering justice under trees'
Siddique Ubeidu, Chairman of the GBA in the region, voiced deep frustration: 'You will recall that this work was started almost 20 years ago, and it has been one reason or excuse for another.' He highlighted that despite visits from the Chief Justice's team and assurances of completion within months, the site remains inactive.
'Here we are today, 4th September, and the place is a cemetery. If you look at the way they packed their equipment, there is no sign that they will be back anytime soon.'
Principal State Attorney Saeed Abdul-Shakur drew stark comparisons to global benchmarks: 'It didn't take China 20 years to build the Three Gorges Dam, nor Dubai 10 years to build the Burj Khalifa. Why is it taking a whole nation 20 years to set up just a three-storey building for a court complex?'
Safety risks and makeshift facilities hamper justice delivery
Conditions inside the operational Wa Circuit Court are dire. Ubeidu described 'gaping, life-threatening cracks' in the judge's chambers and courtroom. Staff have no offices and compete with litigants for space, even eating meals in the courtroom. Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo once threatened to shut the court down due to its state, yet little changed as the population grew.
Acting Secretary of the regional GBA, Crispin Wura-Sey Ziekah, added: 'Are we waiting for our courts to collapse before we complete this structure? At the District Court, a magistrate has to wait in his vehicle until proceedings are assembled before stepping inside.'
Contractor denies abandonment, cites unpaid certificates
Project Seven Limited, the contractor, denies abandoning the project. Director Simon Sowah told JoyNews that unpaid certificates remain pending with the Judicial Service and central government. He said the company will return to site once the government settles its indebtedness.
This standoff highlights a critical issue for Ghana's development: the need for transparent budget execution and accountability in public contracts. For the diaspora and international investors watching, completing this project is not just about a building; it is about demonstrating that Ghana can deliver on its promises.
What needs to happen next
The lawyers have appealed directly to the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, and the Minister for Justice to compel the contractor and consultants back to site. They stress that the facility must be completed to avert a catastrophe in the region's makeshift courtrooms.
As Ghana positions itself as a leader in African growth and innovation, the completion of this court complex is a litmus test. It is time for decisive action, transparent oversight, and a commitment to finishing what we start. The people of the Upper West Region deserve nothing less.
