Go and uphold best law practices – CJ charges new 424 lawyers
Chief Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah has urged 424 new lawyers who were called to the bar to go and churn out best law practices they learnt in school.
“In the coming months and years, you are going to learn about law practice from real-life clients in different cases. You have a choice to either be busy or lazy around.
“Both have consequences. Working hard will reap you bountiful harvest but indolence will render you an impoverished lawyer,” he told the 424 lawyers adorned in wigs and black flowing robes.
The new lawyers made up of 242 males and 182 females were called to the bar after they signed an undertaking to observe the best law practices.
The Chief Justice and Chairman of the General Legal Council further admonished them to desist from using intemperate offensive language in professional dealings.
“It is important to always maintain a pleasant and professional attitude even when you are frustrated by the actions of your opponents.
“You also need to take the ethics of the profession very seriously as the disciplinary committee of the GLC will continue to ensure the proper conduct of all lawyers.”
Touching on legal education, the Chief Justice said the council was working tirelessly to ensure that various facilities feeding students into the Ghana School of Law met the required standards that would make professional training more effective.
“This year the Council has taken steps to publish for the first time the outcome of a joint monitoring exercise with the National Accreditation Board to enable all interested individuals and stakeholders to observe the broader issues confronting legal education in Ghana.”
The colourful ceremony with cheers and chants of jubilation ended with some students awarded for standing out among their peers.
The golden prize of the programme — the John Mensah Sarbah award went to Gyan Emmanuel Yeboah.
Mr Yeboah took home the all-round performance in the professional law examinations.
Justices of the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Anin Yeboah, Samuel Marfu-Sau, Victor Jones Dotse, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, Yaw Appau took turns to present certificates to the new lawyers.
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General Gloria Afua Akuffo, and the National Bar Association President Anthony Forson Jnr, also followed suit to hand out the certificates.
Other awardees
- Ayisah-Eyeson Antoinette won the best student in Civil Procedure
- Afari Yeboah Kobby took home the best student in Criminal Procedure
- Acheampong Moses Baafi won the best student in Law of Evidence
- Awiah Matilda Wedadebam was awarded best student in Interpretation of Deeds and Statutes
- Afriyie-Badu Akua won the best student in Advocacy and Legal Ethics
- Osei-Bonsu Jeitan had the best student in Conveyancing and drafting
- Afari Yeboah Kobby took home the prize of the best student in Law Practice Management and Legal
- Gyamfi Henry Siaw had best student in company and commercial practice
- Fynn Michael Nana won best student in alternative dispute resolution
- Kumah Grace Ohenewaa took home best student in Family Law and Practice