Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has defended the recent decision to temporarily close seven courts in the Upper East Region amid escalating tensions linked to the Bawku conflict, emphasizing the need to protect judicial staff and uphold safety standards.

The announcement came during the launch of the fifth edition of the Manual on Election Adjudication on Thursday, October 31, 2024, held at the Law Court Complex in Accra.

Effective since Tuesday, October 29, 2024, the closures include key facilities such as the Bawku District Court and Bolgatanga Circuit Court, raising concerns regarding access to justice in the affected areas.

However, Chief Justice Torkornoo stressed that the decision was necessary to safeguard court personnel from the heightened security risks posed by the conflict. "In the last week, I have had the unpleasant duty of having to close down courts in the upper regions of our country.