Blindman Among New Lawyers Call To The Bar

Accra, (Greater Accra) 3 Oct.,

Dr. Henry Seidu Daanaa, 41, was today called to the bar as the first blind lawyer in the country. Dr. Daanaa was among 60 newly-qualified lawyers, including 14 women who took their legal vows at a ceremony at the Ghana School of Law (GSL) in Accra. The General Legal Council (GLC) gave him a braille citation as a special award for his excellent and distinctive academic performances. He was also commended for his diligence, hard work and perseverance. The Board of Legal Education at its 66th meeting held on September five, 1995 approved the admission of Dr. Daanaa to the law school to pursue the two-year professional law course with the aid of the braille equipment he supplied to the school. Mr. Justice Isaac Abban, the Chief Justice and Chairman of the General Legal Council reminded the new lawyers of the onerous responsibility their chosen career imposes on them. This, Mr. Justice Abban said, enjoins them to strictly comply with professional standards and ethics. He advised the lawyers to abide strictly by the code of ethics of the legal profession so as not rpt not to bring its good image into disrepute. "Whether in pursuit of the profession or otherwise, you have an overriding duty to resist the temptation to engage in any conduct which is dishonest or otherwise discreditable to a barrister and prejudicial to the administration of justice". The Chief Justice charged them to acquire extra knowledge from other dependable sources since it is not possible for them to learn everything at school. He suggested that after enrolment, new lawyers should spend at least two years in suitable chambers "for there is much that must be learnt on the job." Mr. Justice Abban urged the alumni of GSL to contribute to its endowment fund to enable the school to meet its commitments.