Prime News Ghana

Gov't committed to supporting public sector lawyers – Akufo-Addo

By primenewsghana
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President Akufo-Addo has urged public sector lawyers to pursue ethical practice and shared dedication to establish a legacy of legal excellence.

President Akufo-Addo said it is the surest way by which they could strengthen the foundations of public service.

“Ladies and gentlemen, members of the bar, as public sector lawyers, the path we walk demands courage, commitment, integrity and a ceaseless pursuit of excellence,” he stated.

The President assured that the government is committed to supporting their development to ensure that public sector legal teams are well prepared to face the challenges of our time.

President Akufo-Addo made the call on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the maiden Public Sector Lawyers’ Conference in Accra.

The conference, dubbed: ‘Coordinating Legally for an Efficient and Cohesive Public Service”, was organised by the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.

The event aims to strengthen collaboration among lawyers representing the government and all agencies and corporations in which the government has interests.

President Akufo-Addo said his government over the last eight years had invested in infrastructure, particularly buildings not just for the capacity of public sector lawyers but also helped to develop the whole architecture of justice delivery.

He said the Attorney General has been at the forefront of instituting legal reforms that strengthen accountability, expand access to justice and advance legal education in the country.

“Among these is the Contracts Amendment Act of 2023, Act1114, which prohibits compound interest in state contracts, protecting the public purse from undue financial burden,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo said the Criminal and Other Offences Procedure Amendment Act of 2022, Act 1079, which introduced plea bargaining into the legal system, promoting quicker resolutions within the criminal justice system, the WhistleblowerAmendment Act of 2023, Act 1103, which incentivised transparency by rewarding whistleblowers, creating a strong environment for accountability were clear examples of this transformation.

“My government’s commitment to the legal sector extends to the development of infrastructure, as evidenced by the construction of 100 courthouses across the country and the development of 121 residential units nationwide for judges. Alongside the construction of a magnificent 10-story law house in Accra, which will soon house the Office of the Attorney General,” he emphasised.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame on his part said plans were far advanced for the construction of modern regional offices for his Ministry.

That, he said, is necessary for the attainment of a modern, well-equipped public legal service that could effectively support the legal needs of the state.

Mr Dame said there was a need for an expanded and cohesive public legal service to meet the complex modern legal needs of the state.

He disclosed that the Ministry was almost done with the recruitment of 70 state attorneys, a feat that would bring the total number of state attorneys appointed under President Akufo-Addo’s tenure to 190.

That expansion, he said, demonstrated the government’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of the Attorney General’s Office.