The Ghana School of Law (GSL) has secured a land at Makola to begin the expansion of its campus.
This follows the vision of the former Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah, to see the expansion of the law school closer to the court complexes.
Director of the GSL, Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, who disclosed this, however, assured that the expansion of the School in Accra will not lead to the closure of the Kumasi campus.
“The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has been gracious in getting us a location to formerly establish and make the Kumasi campus as our first regional campus. So, the expansion at Makola is not going to lead to the shutting down of the Kumasi campus. ”
Barima Yaw Oppong made these known at the induction ceremony for professional law course students for the 2024/2025 academic year at the Kumasi campus, KNUST.
The GSL Director charged the students to abide by the ethics of the profession.
“We try to obey laws just to avoid punishment. But you cannot be successful at the bar if all you think about is that you’re doing what pleases others as right because if you don’t, you would be punished.
“Ethics must be our way of life. It must be imbibed in us even at the formative level. Otherwise, you may become a lawyer, but don’t forget that if you refuse to comply with the rules of ethics, there can be serious consequences for you,” stressed.
Former Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin-Yeboah also appealed to them to abide by the code of ethics.
Justice of the Court of Appeal, Samuel Obeng Diawuo advised the students to take legal ethics seriously to avoid pitfalls in the practice of the law.
He expressed concern over lawyers commenting on pending issues they’re party to.
“A lawyer who is participating or has participated in the investigation or litigation of a matter that is still pending before a court, shall not make an out-of-court statement or grant an interview to the media on the merits of the case. But now, lawyers are heard commenting on merits of cases that are pending and which they are participants.
Adherence to and observing legality is one of the pillars on which the rule of law is anchored. When ethical principles are upheld by both lawyers and judges, it bolsters public confidence, belief, and faith in the rule of law and, by extension, legal practice”
One hundred and forty law students were inducted into the Ghana School of Law – Kumasi Campus, to commence academic studies towards attaining the status as learned practitioners while augmenting the current numbers of legal practitioners in the country upon completion.