Cape Coast, May 27, GNA - A Cape Coast-based legal practitioner, Mr. Kofi Lamptey, on Wednesday expressed worry over the "acute shortage" of lawyers in the metropolis due to the "financially non-rewarding" venture of the practice in the area.

He said the number of lawyers in the metropolis declined from 32 some few years ago to only 12 in recent times adding that majority of those practicing were also aging.

Mr. Lamptey told the Ghana News Agency at Cape Coast that most lawyers especially the young were not keen to practice in the area because they are not able to attract or generate the desired income. He said cases like chieftaincy and land litigation which often were time consuming to adjudicate and are therefore unattractive to lawyers are rather the cases that abound in courts in the metropolis. "The funny thing is that you may sometimes finish these cases and instead of being paid in cash you would be paid in kind." Mr Lamptey said commercial cases such as those involving mining organisations were more rewarding for lawyers "but it is unfortunate the business climate in the metropolis is not favourable enough." He said unless the business situation improves most of them would continue to be reluctant in practicing in the area.

Mr. Lamptey said despite these challenges, Cape Coast is well established in legal practice and is one of the best places for young lawyers to learn and urged them to come to the area. A circuit court judge who pleaded anonymity told GNA that the situation was delaying trial of cases in the area and called on traditional authorities and other stakeholders to echo calls on lawyers to practice in the area.

He appealed to legal practitioners not to make financial gains their sole aim but to consider their professional development and avail themselves to practice in the area as at means of improving upon their performances.

The judge appealed to lawyers from Cape Coast to consider the development of the area paramount and exhibit patriotism by returning to their hometown to practice.