A Fellow with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE Law School), Dr. Maame Mensa-Bonsu Esq says Ghana’s Legal Academy has failed the Ghanaian Judges and the country as a whole.
She explains that the academic has reneged in executing its core research mandate that informs the arguments of the bar and the judgement of the bench.
Dr. Mensa-Bonsu Esq asserts that the Legal academy should be the finest that the legal order can produce so that it can intend produce the finest bar both from its teaching and its research support.
To her, this will aid the bar in producing fine work before the bench can result in beautiful judgments.
Dr. Maame Mensa-Bonsu made this revelation while addressing students, faculty Members, Judges, Lawyers, and participants at the tenth Jurists’ Confab organized by the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Coast held at UCC.
The 2023 Jurist’ CONFAB was held on the theme: “The Making of a Legal Luminary: The Lawyer, Judge, and Legal Academic”
Dr. Mensa-Bonsu believes the legal academy has allowed judges to write judgments that are not erudite for lack of literature to guide them in interpretation and the dispensing of justice.
“They are busy. They have a lot to do. They have a lot to read. If we could provide some framework for them to deal with the information that they have acquired, they’re far more likely to arrive at the pristine levels that we not burdened by having to act, have had the opportunity to develop” she continued.
She is therefore appealing to the legal academy to be active in research publications and review of judgments to help strengthen and fill the voids in the entire legal system of Ghana.
She is also encouraging Ghanaian Legal academies not to be discouraged by the lack of resources to conduct legal academic research but to be committed to their work and to engage in more local publications.
She said “I have been an academic in Ghana. I will not lie. It’s not easy. We do not have the resources. It’s a question of commitment and just passion about the role that we play. We can do it if we try.”
Dr. Maame Mensa-Bonsu Esq is further appealing to all legal academics to have the courage to question current practices which is an affront to the progress of the country and the legal system.
She emphasized saying it is important for them to commit themselves to continuous studies to contribute to justice practices.
ICYMI: Legal practitioners urged to contend for excellence
Source: Eric Sekyi/ATLFMNEWS
