We must reclaim our role as guardians of democracy– AG tells GBA
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has called on the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to reaffirm its role in defending constitutional democracy and reinforcing ethical standards within the legal profession.
Speaking at the GBA’s Annual Conference in Wa on Monday, September 15, Dr. Ayine stressed that lawyers must remain vigilant in the face of growing threats to constitutional order, even when those threats originate from within the legal community.
“We must reclaim our role as guardians of democracy. The voices of lawyers must not fall silent when constitutionalism is under threat, whether from the executive, the legislature, political parties, or even from within us,” he told the gathering of legal practitioners.
Dr. Ayine emphasised the urgent need to restore public trust in the justice system by upholding the highest standards of integrity across the profession.
“A few errant lawyers can tarnish the entire Bar. The Ghana Bar Association must be vigilant in holding us to the highest standards of integrity,” he said.
On access to justice, the Attorney-General stated that legal aid must go beyond symbolic gestures and serve as a real lifeline for the underprivileged. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to adequately resourcing the Legal Aid Commission and encouraged lawyers to embrace pro bono services as a civic responsibility.
He also advocated for the digital transformation of Ghana’s justice system, describing tools such as e-filing, digital court records, and improved case management as essential, not optional for a modern and efficient judiciary.
He explained that these are not luxuries in the 21st century but are necessities for delivering justice in a timely and effective manner.
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