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General News of Wednesday, 7 March 2007

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GBA Condemns Boycott

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has condemned the apparent boycott of Ghana’s Golden Jubilee Celebration by former President Rawlings and declared "we’ll celebrate whether there is division or no division”. The National President of GBA, Mr. Kwami Tetteh expressed this when he chaired a public lecture as part of activities marking Ghana’s 50th Anniversary at the British Council in Accra.

The lecture , which was on the theme: Reflections on the Rule of Law’ and delivered by Mrs. Deborah Enix–Ros, an eminent American Lawyer, was a collaboration between the Ghana Bar Association and the American Bar Association (ABA). In her presentation, Mrs. Enix-Ross commended Ghana for upholding the rule of law which she described as the pivot of human existence and should never be compromised. She noted that Ghana was founded on the Rule of Law and became the beacon of hope and shining Black Star for many African countries during the quest for political emancipation.

According to Mrs Enix-Ross, Ghana and for that matter, lawyers, were duty bound to jealously protect that legacy and let no one take it away from the citizenry. She therefore, urged lawyers to organise vigours campaigns, education and other form of sensitisation activities to educate Ghanaians on the importance of rule of law and what it would amount to losing that legacy.

Mrs Enix- Ross reminded lawyers of the importance of the rule of law saying it should be considered, not as an academic exercise but as the compass and gravity without which would not function properly. The eminent lawyer recommended the establishment of media centres that would serve as alternative means of conflict resolution to reduce the pressure that is always associated with the traditional court. Mrs. Enix-Ross assured members of the GBA that they (ABA) were ready to collaborate with them in many ways especially when many African-Americans were lawyers and prepared to share ideas in promotion of the rule of law.