Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo has inaugurated 12 special courts dedicated to handling small claims and debt recovery cases, with eight located in the Greater Accra Region and four in the Ashanti Region.

This initiative was prompted by a significant increase in small claims cases at the district courts, largely due to filings by Bills MicroCredit.

Justice Esaaba Torkonoo highlighted that over 70% of these cases involved claims of less than GHC 5,000. The surge in cases overwhelmed the district courts, undermining the Judicial Service's shift system.

To address this, the Judicial Service, with support from Bills MicroCredit, established these specialized courts. They will operate every weekday afternoon and on Saturdays to manage the caseload effectively.

“For the Greater Accra Region, District Court, Ashaiman, District Court, Teshie, District Court, Kasoa and District Court, La, will operate as the Saturday courts while District Court, Weija, District Court, Sowutuom, District Court ‘2’, Adenta and District Court, Gbese will operate as the weekday afternoon courts,” Chief Justice Torkonoo noted during the opening of the courts.

During the opening of the new courts at the La District Courts, the Chief Justice expressed gratitude to Bills MicroCredit for their support in establishing these 12 special courts.

Richard Quaye, the CEO of Bills MicroCredit, remarked that these courts would significantly benefit their business operations, noting that they have already filed 30,000 cases nationwide.

‘One significant challenge we have faced is the sheer volume of defaulters resulting in our need to resort to the courts for recovery — over 30,000 — filed by our company seeking expedited hearings.

“The establishment of the new Small Claims Court will greatly alleviate the burden on our judicial system, ensuring that cases are resolved more quickly and efficiently,” Richard Quaye said at the opening of the courts.