The President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, Justice Edward Asante, has lamented the high administrative and operational costs burdening the community court.
He, therefore, called for strategic planning from all participants to create a viable budget.
Speaking at the 16th administrative and budget retreat in Nasarawa State, on Monday, Justice Asante stressed the financial challenges facing the ECOWAS Court and urged against overburdening its already strained resources.
Justice Asante said approximately 80 per cent of the court’s budget was consumed by administrative and operational expenses, leaving limited funds for other essential activities.
“We must all know that the community is now financially weak and, therefore, we do not have to overburden the community itself”, he noted.
Despite the financial constraints, Justice Asante reaffirmed the court’s commitment to its mandate, stating, “We still have to do our programmes to let the people know that the court is also performing its function.
“We have to be able to put our heads together to come up with the best budget which, when presented to the Administration and Finance Committee and the Council of Ministers, will look at it as a very good budget and approve it for us”.
The retreat, he said, aimed to facilitate thoughtful discussions, open dialogues, and constructive debates among attendees, leveraging their collective wisdom and diverse perspectives.
The Director of Administration and Finance, Dr William Towah, expressed confidence in the retreat’s potential to generate innovative solutions and renew the court’s sense of purpose.
Presenting the retreat’s objectives, Towah highlighted its significance as a platform to assess the court’s progress and to strategise for the future.
He commended the dedication and diligence of the court’s members, noting that their collective efforts had earned the respect and trust of stakeholders, positively impacting the lives of those served by the court.
He acknowledged the persistent challenges and the need for continuous improvement.
“By embracing these challenges, we can further strengthen our foundation and ensure that the court remains a beacon of justice and fairness”, Towah affirmed.
The annual administrative and budget retreat was attended by the vice president, judges, directors, and relevant staff of the court.
