10th November 2024
Ridge, Accra-The maiden edition of the public sector lawyers’ conference opened on 5thNovember 2024 under the theme, Coordinating Legally for an Efficient and cohesive Public Service.
In attendance was the Attorney General, Hon Godfred Yeboah Dame, the President of Ghana Bar Association Efua Ghartey, and some senior members of the Bar. The conference was also attended by the President of the Republic, His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo and the Solicitor General, Mrs Helen Akpene Ziwu.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, the Solicitor General pointed out that, it is imperative to invest in the training and capacity building of public service employees in order to resolve the inefficiencies and deficiencies in the public sector.
She further pointed out that public sector employees require continuous legal capacity development for effective job performance. The conference, therefore, offers a unique platform to explore innovative solutions to legal challenges, fostering dialogue among participating practitioners in the public space, and enhancing capacity building and knowledge sharing.
When she had her turn, the GBA president- Mrs. Efua Ghartey expressed her delight in seeing public sector lawyers brainstorm on the quality service delivery to state agencies.
Mrs Efua Ghartey Observed that, the work of public sector lawyers, not only upholds the rule of law but directly impacts the lives of citizens. “You play the all-important role of serving as intermediaries between the justice system and the public at large. Consider yourselves, therefore, as an essential group, without which the legal system would not be of much benefit to the populace”
Concluding her remarks, Mrs Ghartey, acknowledge that public sector lawyers face various challenges in the performance of their work: from limited resources to the complex nature of the work. Still she admonished public sector lawyers to remain steadfast in their gatekeeper’s role not just for their clients but for the broader public as well.
The Public Sector Lawyers conference, an initiative of the Attorney General Department and the Ministry of Justice aim at sharing best and emerging practices within the legal stratosphere, exploring innovative solutions to legal challenges, fostering dialogue among participating practitioners in the public square and enhancing capacity building.
Valerie-lydia Asamoah-Mensah Esq contributed to this article
