Features
Tackling the brouhaha over non-admission of 499 law school candidates
After Ghana became independence in 1957, the development of Legal Education in the country was discussed leading to the enactment of the Legal Practitioner Act 1958 which gave birth to the General Legal Council (GLC).
The Council was charged with the responsibility of organising legal education in the country and the first African Chief Justice of Ghana, Sir Kobina Arku Korsah, appointed Professor J H Lang, as the first Director of Legal Education and the establishment of courses on instruction. Since then, there has been other satellite campuses at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi which is aimed at opening a second School of Law in the Ashanti Region and another campus at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) near Legon in Accra. The Kumasi campus was officially inaugurated in November 2010 by Her Ladyship Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, former Chief Justice of Ghana.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE GHANA SCHOOL OF LAW
The Ghana School of Law located in the heart of the Central Business District (CBD) of Accra, precisely Makola, is the only institution that provides training for law graduates in the Barrister of Law programme. The professional law course is designed for law graduates who have obtained an LLB degree and have passed the entrance examination. On completion of this course, the graduate is qualified to practise law in Ghana. It is instructive to know that persons who have studied law outside the shores of Ghana and have first degree in law, would have to pass through the Ghana School of Law before they can practise the profession in Ghana.That is the requirement by the General Legal Council in Ghana.
ENTRY REQUIREMENT AND THE VISION OF THE SCHOOL
For one to qualify for admission to the Ghana School of Law for the professional law course, he or she must be successful in the entrance examination. There is no way a person can gain an admission to the law school without writing and passing an examination. Applicants who are admitted to undertake the professional law course are enrolled as Barristers at Law and Solicitors of Supreme Court upon their successful completion of the course.
The vision of the Ghana School of Law is to become a Centre of Excellence in Africa and the world at large for professional legal training and research. This laudable vision has by far and large been accomplished since its establishment by Ghana’s first president Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah in 1958. No wonder, nationals from other neighbouring African countries as well as other advanced foreign countries continue to knock on our doors to seek admission to the school to train as professional lawyers of high repute. The quality of training given to applicants is so high that upon completion of their course, they can work in any parts of the world.
FIRST OF ITS KIND IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
It is interesting to state that the Ghana School of Law is the first of its kind and the leading law school in Sub-Saharan Africa and serves students from other Commonwealth countries in the sub-region. That is why the authorities continue to attach great importance to the quality of applicants who are seeking admission to the school.
CONTROVERSY OVER THE NON ADMISSION OF APPLICANTS
However, in recent times, the school has come under attack for certain acts that tend to undermine its credibility and placing it in a bad light. The school, we are told is putting impediments in the way of applicants who have written the entrance examination and have genuinely passed. If what we are hearing is the gospel truth, then the school must sit up and regularise its operations and put things in order, otherwise it will dent its high reputation in the international circles and earn a bad name.
Recent news circulating all over, especially in the social media indicated that some aggrieved candidates numbering about 499 who claimed to have passed the 2021 entrance examination to the Ghana School of Law, had been unjustifiably denied admission to the school for reasons they are not familiar with. According to the aggrieved candidates, there was no debate that the admission pass mark into the school was 50 per cent which has been the case since the introduction of the entrance exams as a criterion for admission to the GSL sometime in 2012. Additionally, there was equally no debate that the 50 per cent requirement that a candidate had obtained was a culmilative raw score of 50 per cent from the two sections of the paper.
AGGRIEVED CANDIDATES PETITION PRESIDENT
A lead convener of the group, Mr. Tonny Baah, told a news conference in Accra recently that they had petitioned the Office of the President on October 15, 2021 to use his Executive Power to come to their aid in their quest for justice and to vindicate their fundamental human rights as enshrined in Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution. He expressed the confident that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who for all intent and purposes, had proven to be a renowned human rights lawyer and freedom fighter, would rise up to the occasion and do justice to their legitimate grievances.
“We appeal to the President who also happens to be a member in permanent good standing at the bar, to cause his official representative at the General Legal Council, the Attorney-General, Godfred Dame, who is clothed with powers under the Legal Professional Act, 1960 (Act 32), to order the General Legal Council and for that matter the Ghana School of Law, to comply with their own rules of engagement by admitting the remaining 499 candidates who passed the entrance examination,” he said.
HANDLING THE CONTROVERSY WITH DISPATCH
The current brouhaha that has characterised the process of admission to the Ghana School of Law need to be handled in a more professional manner in order not to create disaffection within the law profession. We believe that the President of the Republic of Ghana who himself is a member of the legal luminaries in this country will intervene immediately and cause an investigation into this thorny issue to resolve the impasse. This is an issue which should not be allowed to drag whatsoever.
OUR LEGAL SYSTEM IS AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD
It is a fact that our legal system is rated among the best in the world due to the vigorous and rigorous training we offer to prospecting lawyers in this country. As a result of the meticulous training of our lawyers, many of them are serving in other capacities in a number of foreign countries across the globe. Others are holding responsible positions in this country and are doing very well in areas they find themselves. The training of lawyers in this country demands a lot of investment both financially and physically. It is on the basis of this investment that the case of these aggrieved applicants should be re-examined so that they can have the opportunity to complete their course successfully and serve their motherland faithfully and dutifully.
Our dear country, Ghana, needs more lawyers to help prosecute its development agenda and, therefore, there is no need to stifle the chances of potential aspirants.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
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By Charles Neequaye
Features
Who knows tomorrow?
Recently a friend posted a sad news on his Facebook page, announcing the death of a school mate who had passed away, suddenly. The report had it that he was on his way to the airport to take a flight to Ghana.
I am sure this man had already informed the wife or a friend or a work colleague at work that he was returning home but he was not to return as a human being but as a dead body.
Such is life and so we need to be circumspect in how we go about things in life. The Bible reminds us that we are like grass which at one point in time looks elegant and the next moment becomes withered according to Psalm 90:5 and 6. It is for this reason that we need to guard our hearts with the word of God so that we shall be motivated to do the right thing, at all times.
This will enable us live on this planet, free from all sorts of troubles in our personal lives, even if we ignore the question of Heaven and Hell. Living a disciplined life delivers us from any kind of trouble as the Bible declares in Galatians 5:23 that against such there is no law.
The uncertainty surrounding our lives on earth is the more reason why people should commit their lives into the hands of the one who created it, in the first place unless you believe that the world created itself and that it appeared from nowhere.
Otherwise, the logical thing to do is to recognize the authority of the creator and surrender to his Lordship. Heaven is real and Hell is real, so for us who know the truth and have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the onus lies on us to encourage our relations who have not believed and received Jesus into their lives, to do so.
We are a couple of days from another Easter Resurrection celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our lives in relation to the significance of Easter. In the Bible, the only occasion Jesus, Saviour of the world commands us to celebrate is his death and resurrection.
He never commanded his followers to celebrate his birth but like everything else, we chose to ignore Jesus’s instructions and decided to do what pleases us, just like our forefather and mother in the Garden of Eden.
Let us deliberately choose to do things differently as Christians this Easter, so we can really benefit from all the blessings that the celebration of the death and birth of Jesus, has on offer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is definitely insanity.
I choose to be different this Easter and I am believing God for a newness of life so God’s glory would be revealed in me to draw the unsaved to him. It is only when people especially the unsaved, see the character of Christ in us, that they can be convinced about the authenticity of Jesus, as Saviour of the world, who can bring transformation in their lives too.
This is what would motivate them to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Let us make this Easter a memorable one that will be cherished for a long time. It is also a period for reconciliation and it would be great if in the spirit of Easter, we would try to reach out to those who have wronged us or have a grudge against us.
This would demonstrate that we have indeed accepted Jesus and that our religious posture is not a sham. May the good Lord grant us the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves, demonstrating the love of God in the process.
Those who have lost their loved ones and Easter brings sad memories, may the good Lord comfort and strengthen you. God bless.
.NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
Features
Cosmetic deformities
COSMETIC deformities refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities that affect an individual’s appearance, often causing emotional distress and impacting their quality of life.
These deformities can be congenital, acquired, or result from various medical conditions or treatments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of cosmetic deformities, their types, causes, effects, and treatment options.
Types of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can affect various parts of the body, including the face, skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Some common types of cosmetic deformities include:
1. Facial deformities: Congenital or acquired abnormalities affecting the shape, structure, or appearance of the face, such as cleft lip and palate, facial paralysis, or facial asymmetry.
2. Skin deformities: Conditions affecting the skin’s texture, tone, or appearance, such as acne, scars, birthmarks, or skin discoloration.
3. Hair deformities: Abnormalities affecting the hair’s growth, texture, or appearance, such as alopecia, hirsutism, or hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments.
4. Nail deformities: Conditions affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the nails, such as nail fungus, nail psoriasis, or nail trauma.
5. Dental deformities: Abnormalities affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the teeth, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, or malocclusion.
Causes of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can result from various factors, including:
1. Genetics: Congenital conditions or inherited traits can cause cosmetic deformities.
2. Trauma: Injuries or accidents can result in cosmetic deformities, such as scars or facial trauma.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, can cause cosmetic deformities.
4. Treatments and procedures: Medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, can result in cosmetic deformities.
5. Aging and environmental factors: Aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors can contribute to cosmetic deformities, such as wrinkles, fine lines, or age spots.
Effects of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including:
1. Low self-esteem: Cosmetic deformities can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
2. Social anxiety: Individuals with cosmetic deformities may experience social anxiety, avoiding social interactions or feeling embarrassed in public.
3. Emotional distress: Cosmetic deformities can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or stress.
4. Impact on quality of life: Cosmetic deformities can affect an individual’s quality of life, impacting their relationships, career, or overall well-being.
Treatment options for cosmetic deformities
Various treatment options are available to address cosmetic deformities, including:
1. Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, or dermatological surgery, can correct or improve cosmetic deformities.
2. Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion, can address cosmetic concerns, such as skin texture, tone, or appearance.
3. Medical treatments: Medical treatments, such as topical creams, oral medications, or injectable treatments, can address cosmetic concerns, such as acne, hair loss, or nail deformities.
4. Prosthetic and orthotic devices: Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as wigs, hairpieces, or dental prosthetics, can help individuals with cosmetic deformities.
5. Counselling and therapy: Counselling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cosmetic deformities.
Conclusion
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding the types, causes, and effects of cosmetic deformities is crucial in addressing these concerns.
Various treatment options are available, ranging from surgical procedures to non-surgical treatments, medical treatments, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and counselling and therapy.
By seeking professional help and support, individuals with cosmetic deformities can improve their appearance, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Reference
1. “Cosmetic Deformities” by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
