Published September 19, 2024
This year’s Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association successfully concluded on the 13th September, 2024. We have reproduced abridged versions of the speech delivered by key personalities such as the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkonoo, the former GBA President Yaw Boafo and other notable legal personalities under the theme “Peaceful, Fair and Transparent Elections: The Key To Sustainable Development’.
CHIEF JUSTICE – GERTRUDE TORKORNOO
In her speech, the CJ raised concerns on the proliferation of fake judicial documentation such as fake marriage certificates, land indentures by non-lawyers and the need to scrapped them. She further touched on the essence of a compulsory Pupillage as enshrined in Law and practice and the fact that all new lawyers need to submit to the process. She stressed that the practice of the Law is not a ‘Get rich quick scheme’ and belaboured the alarming increase in the number of lawyers referred to the disciplinary committee of the General Legal Council and called on Lawyers to be dutiful and abide strictly by the ethics and laws regulating the legal profession in Ghana.
The Chief Justice also mentioned that, there is an on-going process
to digitise records at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to enhance justice delivery by the end of next year. She commended the President for the establishment of 100 new courts. This, she believes will help to deal with the issue of overburdened courts. Adding that the culture of adjourning cases will be soon be a thing of the past.
The CJ urged stakeholders in the upcoming elections to come to the electoral process with full recognition and appreciation of the legal regimes surrounding elections in Ghana.
GBA PRESIDENT – YAW ACHEAMPONG BOAFO
The outgoing president of the Ghana Bar Association, GBA called on Lawyers to eschew partisanship, stressing that the GBA has never and should never be an appendage of any political party.
He intimated that corruption and embezzlement and is endemic in the society and called on the government to strive to do better in addressing corruption.
Mr Boafo, also noted that ‘while free SHS is a visionary and a commendable initiative, the state should focus more on enhancing the standard of the public school education system. . He bemoaned the practise of Government scholarships being awarded to politically connected persons who
are already from privileged backgrounds, urging the practice to cease immediately and steps taken to better the life of the poor. ‘Ghana is more than Kumasi and Accra hence the rural communities deserve more attention’, he further stated.
Adding his voice to the ongoing Galamsey menace, (which is damaging our water bodies and forest reserves) Mr Boafo, stated that the activities of illegal miners are only getting worse and irresponsible comments such as “which political party polluted the water bodies more by a member of parliament”, should not be encouraged. He called on the government to be bold and honest in addressing the Galamsey menace by dealing with the powerful persons behind it.
THE PRESIDENT (NANA ADDO DANKWAH AKUFFO ADDO)
In his speech, the President of the Republic Nana Akuffo-Addo stated that Ghana has made huge strides in upholding democracy since the the commencement of the 4th Republic, citing the passing of the Right to information bill into Law as one of many democratic gains which has given the citizenry direct power to demand for accountability.
The President intimated that, his government will do everything in its power to ensure that the upcoming election is free, fair and transparent to uphold the integrity of Ghana’s current democratic dispensation. He urged the Electoral Commission to perform its daunting task of ensuring a peaceful election respecting the interests of all political parties.
He also urged the security agencies to endeavour to enforce the law against vigilantism in the
quest to ascertain a peaceful election whiles admonishing the media to perform its constitutional duty with accurate reporting to stem misinformation and disinformation.
The President advised the GBA to take the lead in educating the public about the role of the judiciary and prevent unwarranted attacks on the judiciary.
ATTORNEY GENERAL (GODFRED DAME)
The AG in remarks stated that his office has succeeded in saving the State billions of United States dollars in numerous Civil litigations in Ghana and in various international courts and arbitrations during his tenure.
He further stated that, while Galamsey continues to cause huge damage to Ghana’s forest reserves and river bodies, the Criminal Division of the AG’s office has made some strides and successes in the fight against the menace even though there is still room for more to be done. According to him, since 2021, about 76 persons, including 18 foreigners have been convicted, including the acclaimed and notorious Chinese galamsey queen, Aisha Huang.
He emphasised that the completion of the “Law House” a 12 – storey building, comprising 10 levels and a
two-tier underground car park to accommodate the Ministry of Justice adds to Ghana’s legal infrastructure and that same would enhance the work of the Attorney General.
Hon Godfred Dame also noted the establishment of the ADR Centre is a commendable achievement as it presents a viable opportunity for valuable commercial disputes and cases. It will also enable members of the Ghana Bar Association, to sharpen their skills in the resolution of such disputes and propel Ghana into an arbitration hub in Africa.
Concluding his speech, Mr. Dame also expressed his delight in knowing that the country has called a record number of about 3,000 lawyers to the bar, since 2021. The Honourable Minister urged all Ghanaians to strive for a Free and fair elections and wished all the candidates of the GBA elections the very best of luck.
Kwasi Twum Agyapong Esq and Priscilla David Kumah Esq contributed to this report.
