A new generation of legal minds was ushered into the legal profession on Friday, October 10, as 824 newly qualified lawyers were called to the Ghana Bar in a ceremony marked by celebration, diversity, and determination.
The event, held at the Accra International Conference Centre, saw a notable presence of journalists and media professionals among the new lawyers, underscoring the evolving landscape of law and public service in Ghana.
Among them were Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson of Graphic Online, Serwaa Amihere of the EIB Network, Joseph Ackah-Blay of Media General, Sixtus Don-Ullo of 3News, and Yvonne Asare-Offei of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. Their call to the bar highlights a growing intersection between law and journalism in shaping national discourse and upholding justice.
The ceremony was led by Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who administered the professional oath and personally presented the qualifying certificates to the new lawyers. The auditorium was filled with proud families, friends, and well-wishers witnessing this important milestone.
Also celebrated were six persons with disabilities who defied odds to join the legal profession, and Paul Chen, a Chinese-born entrepreneur based in Kumasi, whose call to the Bar marked another significant moment in the increasingly diverse legal community.
Born in Taiwan and raised in Ghana from a young age, Paul has spent much of his life blending into the Ghanaian way of life.
He currently runs a business in Kumasi, the bustling commercial hub of the Ashanti Region. But his desire to go beyond business and into law came from a deep appreciation for the power of legal knowledge.
“I was born in Taiwan, but I came to Ghana when I was young. I’m currently doing business in Kumasi, and I thought being a lawyer is a very useful thing to do,” Paul explained. “Legal education—knowledge—is a powerful tool. So I think it will help me with my business in Ghana.”
Dignitaries including Supreme Court Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Attorney-General Dr Dominic Ayine, Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai, Director of Legal Education Prof Raymond Atuguba, and Ghana Bar Association President Efua Ghartey participated in the presentation of certificates.
The four-hour ceremony was a powerful affirmation of resilience, inclusivity, and the enduring value of justice in Ghana’s democratic journey.
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