Chief Justice Reopens 4 Courts in Upper East Region, 3 Remain Closed

On November 12, 2024, four courts in the Upper East Region that had been closed due to the ongoing Bawku chieftaincy conflict were reopened to the public. These courts include the High, Circuit, and District Courts in Bolgatanga, as well as the District Court in Bongo.

However, the District Courts in Garu, Zebilla, and Zuarungu remain closed due to security concerns related to the conflict. This decision follows a memorandum issued by the Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, as part of measures to ensure the safety of judges, staff, and court users in the region.

The closure of the courts began in 2021, as the violence in Bawku and surrounding areas escalated. The courts in Bawku had been shut down at that time, forcing residents to seek legal services in neighboring districts.

In response to the situation, a memorandum signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Pamela C. A. Koranteng, announced the closure of seven courts, citing safety concerns following a violent attack on travelers along the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway on October 27, 2024.

The reopening of the four courts was confirmed in a new memorandum dated November 8, 2024, and signed by the Judicial Secretary. Court users in Bolgatanga, where the reopened courts are located, expressed their gratitude, noting the importance of having access to judicial services again. Local food vendors and stationery businesses near the courts also welcomed the reopening, as they had been negatively affected by the previous closure.

Despite the reopening, three courts in Garu, Zebilla, and Zuarungu remain closed due to ongoing security concerns in those areas.