Justice Edward Amoako Asante, the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, has lamented the high administrative and operational costs of running the community court.
He said this while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 16th administrative and budget retreat on Monday in Nasarawa State, near Abuja the capital of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The President underscored the financial challenges facing the community, cautioning against overburdening its resources.
"We must all know that the Community is now financially weak and therefore we do not have to overburden the Community itself," he noted.
Addressing the high administrative and operational costs that constitute a significant portion of the Court's budget, the President pointed out that approximately 80 per cent of the budget is dedicated to these expenses, leaving limited funds for planned activities.
Despite these constraints, he reaffirmed the Court's commitment to its mandate, stating, "We still have to do our programs to let people know that the Court is also performing its function."
In a call for collective wisdom and strategic planning, Justice Asante urged all participants to contribute thoughtfully to the budget discussions.
"We have to be able to judge all and put our heads together to come up with the best budget which when presented to the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) and to the Council of Ministers, they will look at it as a very good budget and approve it for us," he said.
The retreat is expected to foster thoughtful discussions, open dialogues, and constructive debates, leveraging the collective wisdom, diverse perspectives, and shared experiences of the attendees.
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Dr. William Deiyan Towah, Director of Administration and Finance, expressed full confidence that the retreat will pave the way for innovative solutions, inspire new ideas, and renew the sense of purpose within the Community Court of Justice.
Presenting the objectives and the expectations of the retreat, Dr. Towah emphasised the retreat's significance as a platform to assess the Court's progress and strategise for the future.
He commended the collective dedication and diligence of the Court's members, which have propelled the institution to new heights, upholding the rule of law.
"Our collective efforts have earned the respect and trust of our stakeholders, creating a positive impact on the lives of those we serve", he stated.
Acknowledging the challenges that persist, he highlighted the importance of continuous improvement.
He called for a critical assessment of the Court's shortcomings and the identification of areas for enhancement.
"By embracing these challenges, we can further strengthen our foundation and ensure that the Court remains a beacon of justice and fairness" he affirmed.
The annual administrative and budget retreat was attended by the Vice President, judges, directors and relevant staff of the Court.
