Desist from using BAR conference to denigrate NPP political opponents – LINSOD to Dame

Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD) has advised the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Mr. Godfred Yeboah Dame not to use the Ghana Bar Association’s Annual Bar Conference as a platform to denigrate New Patriotic Party NPP political opponents.

In a statement, LINSOD stated that as the conference commences tomorrow, September 9th, 2024 in Kumasi, they are reminding the Attorney General that using the BAR platform to attack H.E. John Dramani Mahama or other political opponents of the ruling NPP must not be repeated.

According to the LINSOD, there are pressing national issues such as illegal mining also known as galamsey menace among others that he should focus on.

“We recall with boredom and a strong feeling of regret how his speeches at the Bar Conferences held in Ho and Cape Coast embarrassed the occasion; lowered the image of the Bar; and caused most members of the Bar to raise genuine concerns about his unappealing and uninspiring conduct.

“In Ghana today, one of the perspicuous dangers that affect our very existence as Ghanaians is the incalculably devastating effects of illegal mining which has led to the pollution of our water bodies and the destruction of our forest reserves.

“It is our hope that aside the general discussion of matters that are important exclusively to the legal profession, the Conference will also find it propitious to deliberate also on how the Bar can fully support the fight against this seemingly unending illegal mining. It is our anticipation that this Conference will serve as an opportunity for both the outgoing and the in-coming leadership of the Bar to create a new chapter for a renewed professionalism in the legal profession.

“Indeed, the independence and sanctity of the Bar ought to be preserved and should not be allowed under any circumstances to sink so low into the sphere of intense partisan political activity in the name of “an opening speech by the Attorney- General of the Republic of Ghana.” We, of LINSOD, and many other well-meaning, and professionally minded lawyers, as well as the general public are weary of a regime Attorney General, who shall abuse any opportunity to deprecate political opponents of the regime. We are equally weary of a GBA, which is appearing increasingly to discerning Ghanaians as partisan, and virtually in bed with the current NPP regime. We are accordingly monitoring events very closely with the hope that these situations shall change for the better.”

Attached below is the full statement

LINSOD ADVISES AG ON BAR CONFERENCE POLITICISATION