By Alimatu Jalloh
A cross section of Magistrates and Judges of the Sierra Leone Judiciary, led by supreme court Judge Honourable Justice Emmanuel Ekundayo Robert, has on 5th September, 2022 witnessed the 19th triennial conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges’ Association.
The theme of the conference is”Access to Justice in a modern world”.
The conference is being held at the Labadi Hotel, Accra in Ghana. The 19th Triennial Conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges’ Association (CMJA) is the only International Association bringing together judicial officials at all levels including Chief Justices and this is the second time that Ghana is hosting such an internationally recognised conference after it was first held there in 2005.
In his welcome address, the Chief Justice of Ghana His Lordship Justice Anin Yeboah stated that it is a rare privilege and honour for Ghana to host “this all-important conference for the second time…”
He referred to the theme of the conference as appropriate, bearing in mind that modernity calls for responsive approaches in the service of humanity. He added that the impact of Covid-19
which struck in the last quarter of 2019, have been far and wide, and that Judiciaries have not been spared by the virus’ deadly effects with serious challenges to justice delivery leading to the emergence of holding Virtual Court sittings.
He informed that Virtual Court sittings have invariably become the new trend.
According to him, the 2022 Triennial Conference is an important forum, which offers an opportunity for Judges and Magistrates to share experiences, knowledge and innovations in dealing with some of these challenges.
On his part, the President of the CMJA, His Lordship the Hon. Justice Charles Mkandawire, said the objectives are to advance the administration of the law by promoting the independence of the Judiciary to advance education in the law, the administration of justice, the treatment of offenders and the prevention of crimes within the Commonwealth.
He said the Association promotes better understanding amongst judicial officers of all rank and from all part of the Commonwealth of judicial independence issues and to explore the approach to those issues in different parts of the Commonwealth.
Declaring the conference officially opened, Ghanaian Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawamia thanked the organizers for agreeing to hold such a conference in Ghana after 17 years since it was last held in that Country.
He mentioned that Ghanaian President, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, was absent at the opening because he had travelled out of Ghana to an equally important conference.
The Vice President Dr. Bawamia said the theme of the conference was not only apt but timely. He also urged all Judiciaries across the world to embrace the power of digital tools to access justice.