The President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mrs. Efua Ghartey, has cautioned lawyers to exercise restraint and hasten slowly in commenting on the constitutional process activated for the removal of the Chief Justice.
She emphasized that justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done, particularly in novel and high-profile cases like this.
Mrs. Ghartey made this appeal at the Ghana Bar Association’s Mid-Year Review Conference in Accra, themed “Expanding the role of the legal profession in national development; positioning the Ghana Bar Association as the fulcrum.”
“Another such Committee, the Public Awareness Committee is one that seeks to educate the public on topical legal issues.
“One such issue, which is currently on the lips of Ghanaians as a result of the publicity associated with the process triggered for the Removal of the Chief Justice is; what is a prima facie case.
“People then go on to ask, what is the raison d’etre for establishing a prima facie case, are there any standards to be met in concluding that a prima face has been established.
“Having been informed as a country that, petitions against the Chief Justice have been filled, you are repeatedly asked, at what point in time does the country get to know the contents of the petition. What if the Petitions are frivolous, but steps have been taken which may impugn the reputation of the person against who the petitions have been filed.
“Assuming that there is a hearing, how long should the hearing be? Can the Chief Justice elect to have the proceedings heard in public instead of in camera and many more such questions.
“This process is a novel one in our history as a Country and we the Bar must continue to monitor the situation and not hesitate to express our opinion on it where the circumstances demand.
“It is important that in such matters, justice is not only done, but manifestly be seen to have been done,” Mrs Ghartey said.
The highlights of the Conference includes
Panel discussions on Conference theme, presentation and approval of committee reports, discussion on matters affecting the legal profession discussion on matters affecting the Judiciary, discussion on matters affecting the nation, Confirmation of Kumasi Conference Resolutions, Mid-Year Conference Resolutions and bonding (fun games, beach sports & others) among Members.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
