President Mahama Advocates Judicial Cooperation

President John Daramani Mahama on Tuesday said although Ghana had a strong Judicial tradition, there was still the need to tap the experiences of other countries to strengthen the institutions.

He added:” Strengthening of all institutions including the Judicial system is paramount to strengthening democracy and Ghana would still work hard to move higher.”

President Mahama said this when Mr Joaquim Barbosa, Chief Justice of Brazil called on him at the Flagstaff House, Kanda.

The Brazilian Chief Justice, the only black ever to serve on the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil, is on a reciprocal visit after Ghana’s Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Woode visited the Southern American country in 2008.

Mr Barbosa, who was appointed in 2012, by President Lula da Silva, over the one and half years has gained national and international recognition for presiding over a high profile corruption trial lasting four months that involved a congressional cash for votes scheme.

After thorough investigations, the court convicted 25 people including the former chief of staff of former President Lula da Silva.

Apart from initiating steps to reform the Brazilian Judiciary, the Chief Justice who is against the power of prosecutors to file administrative investigations, rather supports the transfer of jurisdiction to hear cases on slave labour to Federal courts.

President Mahama said based on the Judicial experience, Brazil had gained over the years, there was the need for their Ghanaian counterparts to forge relations that would help in the strengthening of their relations in the years to come.

He said Ghana had signed agreements with Brazil in the areas of the Agricultural Mechanisation and his administration would cement such relations to yield mutual benefits, particularly food security in Ghana.

“I have been to Brazil and I know they have achieved a lot, and our partnership with them will take up some of the good practices, especially in Agricultural Mechanisation,” he added.

On the 2014 World Cup, President Mahama gave the assurance that Ghana would perform creditably well as the country could boast of a solid team in the month long competition.

Mr Barbosa commended President Mahama, the Judiciary and all Ghanaians for their hospitality during his visit.

He promised to strengthen relations that would enable the two countries to enjoy higher level of cooperation.

In attendance were Justice William Atuguba, and Justice Sophia Adinyira.