The Chief Justice (CJ), Mrs Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, on Friday charged lawyers to be bold and speak the truth even when it is hard and unpopular for them to do so.
She asked them to take a principled stand on what they believe is right and honourable.
Speaking in Accra at the enrolment of 26 lawyers, including nine women, who have been called to the Bar, she said they must not bow to
pressure from their peers to toe their line to do the wrong things.
Mrs Justice Wood also cautioned the new lawyers to exhibit the practical demonstration of the knowledge and skills they had attained
to the benefit of the society.
She said their work and worth would not only come under scrutiny from the Bench and Bar but also their clients and the public they would come into contact with.
Mrs Justice Wood reminded the new lawyers that it was only through hard work, integrity, discipline and determination that they could become successful legal practitioners.
She said courting cheap popularity through the media did not make one an outstanding lawyer, adding that good lawyers were the ones who
used sound legal arguments in court to fight their cases.
“I will therefore advice that you avoid the temptation of touting yourselves and litigating cases on the airwaves and in the print media.”
Mrs Justice Wood also urged lawyers to offer pro bono services to the poor who could not afford legal services to ensure the protection of their fundamental human rights.
She said a good number of lawyers who were performing creditably either on the Bench or at the Bar spent a significant time of their
formative years in pro bono practice.
The Chief Justice said the practice provided an opportunity for those who wanted to serve in any national capacity to demonstrate their spirit of selflessness.
Mrs Justice Wood asked the new lawyers to avail themselves of every opportunity to upgrade their knowledge in continuing legal education organised either by the Ghana Bar Association or other reputable organisations.
She said the new lawyers should not be under any illusion that their passing out successfully from the School of Law meant their legal education had ended.
“Acquiring knowledge is a lifelong pursuit. To remain a competent legal practitioner, you require regular and continual professional
education,” she added.