President Nana Akufo-Addo, on Monday, June 10, commissioned the Law House to serve as the new office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo highlighted that the building signifies the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law.
“The completion of ‘The Law House’ stands as a testament to the NPP government’s commitment to address the age-old office accommodation problem that has plagued the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice for far too long.
“This state-of-the-art facility will now house the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice to provide a conducive environment for the official administration of the law in our country,” the president stated.
He emphasised that the new building will contribute to creating an equitable, free, and just society by ensuring that justice is administered fairly and impartially.
President Akufo-Addo further said his administration has made considerable strides in strengthening the rule of law in the country.
“We’ve embarked on the digitalisation and modernisation of our legal and judicial systems, recognising that in this digital age, the efficient administration of justice must keep pace with technological advancement.
“We’ve introduced electronic filing systems, reducing the reliance on paper-based documentation and streamlining the judicial process. This initiative has not only expedited the handling of cases but has also enhanced transparency and accountability within the legal system,” he added.
The Law House project, a 10-storey structure with a two-level basement adjacent to the High Court complex in Accra, is a project which began in 2001.
It was initially expected to be completed in May 2004, but the contract was terminated and re-awarded in January 2023.
The structure has conference rooms, 130 office spaces, 120 parking lots, an eating area, and various other facilities, significantly enhancing its capacity and functionality.
Adding his voice, the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, pledged to ensure that all regional AG offices are housed in at least three-storey buildings, ending the practice of operating from makeshift structures.
The Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, who was also present at the ceremony, commended the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for his leadership in overseeing the completion of ‘The Law House’ project.
According to her, the Attorney General’s resourcefulness in bringing the facility to fruition ought to be appreciated.
She also expressed her gratitude to the president and his government for their commitment to the project.
“Mr President, I also stand on behalf of the legal community to express our thanks to you and your government for championing the delivery of this community for justice delivery. I am hoping that sooner than later, we will have another beautiful edifice close by to house the council for law reporting, to house legal aids and all of the agencies that feed into providing justice to this dear nation of ours,” she said.