ICT to be introduced to speed up court proceedings in Tanzania

THE Judicial and the Investment Facility in Africa recently signed an agreement geared at modernizing the judicial system in Tanzania. In this agreement, the investment facility for Africa would provide an up-to-date ICT training (on use of computers) to judges, registrars, court clerks and stenographers so that they might speed up court processes and increase transparency. The firm will contribute US$ 2 million (about Tsh. 2.4 billion) to the project while the judiciary would contribute US$ 650,000 (About Tshs. 800 million) in the form of taxes. The knowledge would help increase the current process of recording evidence in court, the technology would replace long hand writing which is too slow and outdated. The knowledge would also guard against very common occurrences of loss, misplacement and destruction of court files. Speaking during the signing ceremony, the CEO of the investment firm, Mr. Omar Issa said the agreement which signaled the start of a joint funded project, would also see the investment climate improved with modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Chief Justice Augustine Ramadhani standing right to President Jakaya Kikwete. This was immediately after the President had sworn in more than 15 Judges of the High Court of Tanzania. Judges, Court clerks and other personnel of the High Court of Tanzania, would be given a training on how to speed up their work by using computers.

According to him, it will encourage both inward and external investment into Tanzania because the technology will ensure that the entire legal process is more cost—effective and efficient. The knowledge acquired by the beneficiaries after the training would enhance good governance within the judiciary system in the country by reducing congestion of cases, and it would also avoid lengthy delays of court hearing. For his part, the Chief Justice, Augustine Ramadhani said the technology would promote delivery of justice to all as it will expedite the administration of criminal justice and brighten the future of the investment climate in the country. The technology could help Tanzania due to its strong expanding economy and stable political environment.