Ghana, America Bar Associations hold public lecture

Accra, Feb 5. GNA - The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in collaboration
with the America Bar Association (ABA) on Monday held a public
lecture, under the theme, "reflections on the rule of law".
Delegation from ABA section of International Legal Exchange (ILEX)
are in the country on a trip which will focus on issues of rule of law
strengthen democracies institutions and the legal profession and also
in confronting the emerging democracies of Sierra Leone and Liberia.
This is part of the Golden Jubilee celebration, in showcasing that
Ghana has stood steadfast, commitment to the rule of law over the last
50 years.
Mrs Deborah Enix Ross, Chairperson of ABA was the speaker on behalf
of Ms Karen Maths The President of ABA, saying, " the ABA believes in
promoting the legal profession, the administration of justice, and the
rule of law around the world".
" So again, on behalf of more than 413,00 members, I bring you
greetings and congratulations on the 50th anniversary of Ghana", she
said.
Ms Maths noted that, her job in delivery the Jubilee lecture is to
provide prospects on how far Ghana have come and to wish the country a
bright future.
She noted that, the 50th jubilee celebration is a time when one
reflects on, what Ghana has accomplished? What it has not accomplished
and also what it hope to achieve?
As a country celebrates its fifth decades of independence it is
appropriate to revisit the tents of an independent society and also to
recognise the vital role that the rule of law can perform within such
a society, and to pay homage to the many benefits that it brings.
She said, "In New York Times Magazine, Margrate Mead aptly stated
that, "the first step in the direction of a world of rule of law is
the recognition that peace no longer is an unobtainable ideal, but a
necessary condition of continued human existence".
Ms Maths said that, this week's celebration is the fact that, Ghana
has maintained the conditions of the rule of law for the past 50
years.
She quoted the founder, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, " My government fully
realises both the advantages and the responsibilities involved in the
achievement of independence. It intends to make full use of these
advantages to increase the prospect of the country".
Promoting the rule of law is fundamental to achieving grater
security, human development and human rights for all people.
Ghana has already assumed greater international visibility in
promoting the rule of law in the interest of human rights.
Ghana has a special relationship with the US and especially African
Americans, including a large American business ties and continue to
serve as the foremost tourist attraction in West Africa.
ABA has already initiated partnership with the legal fraternity,
through ABA Africa, by providing assistance with drafting a code of
conduct for judges and magistrates.
Mr Kwame Teteh the President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA)
noted that, democracy and law are spreading throughout the world and
lawyers have helped to bring about that change.
" We must work to protect the ability of lawyers to continue to do
that work and to build institutions that will be strong enough to
promote peaceful legal reforms that will benefits us all," he said.
Mr Teteh noted that, lawyers seek to reign over law, based upon the
consent of the governed and sustainability by the organised opinion of
mankind.
05 March 07