Dominic Ayine, MP for Bolgatanga East, has announced his intention to collaborate with fellow MPs from Bolgatanga Central and Bongo to petition Chief Justice Gertrude Tokornoo.
They seek a review of the recent decision to close all courts in the Upper East Region due to the Bawku conflict.
The indefinite closure, implemented on October 29, followed safety concerns from court staff and judges.
Judicial Service Secretary Justice Cyra Pamela Koranteng instructed court registrars to safeguard court assets and prioritize personnel safety.
Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM on Thursday, October 31, Ayine expressed disagreement with the broad closure.
He argued that only courts within the immediate Bawku conflict zone should be shut down, while courts in Bolgatanga over 50 kilometers away and not directly impacted should remain operational to maintain access to justice in the region.
“It would have been wiser to close only courts within the Bawku area. There is no conflict in Bolgatanga, and shutting down the High Court here disrupts services unnecessarily,” Ayine remarked.
“If the issue is staff travel from Bolgatanga to areas like Pusiga and Zebilla, limiting those specific services would be more practical than a blanket closure.”
Ayine plans to work with the MPs for Bolgatanga Central and Bongo to jointly petition the Judiciary Secretary, urging a reversal of court closures in unaffected areas.
“Bolgatanga is over 50 kilometers from Bawku and not in the conflict zone; a more targeted approach is needed,” he added.
