The Faculty of Law has held the Seventh Roll Call Ceremony to induct students admitted to pursue Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree programme at the University for the 2019/2020 academic year.
In all, 126 students were inducted at the ceremony.
Faculty of Law is One of the Best in Ghana
In a speech read on behalf by the Provost of the College of Distance Education, Prof. Isaac K. A. Galyuon, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, noted that though the Faculty of Law was relatively young, faculty and students continue to distinguish themselves both academically and professionally. He noted that the faculty was recognised as one of the best in the country noting that “Our Faculty of Law has introduced a lot of innovations in the training of legal professionals and our students have also won several academic laurels making us one of the top faculties in the country,” he stated.
Prof. Ampiah was happy to note that the pass rate for graduates from the Faculty into the Ghana School of Law continued to increase over the few years.
The Vice-Chancellor advised the inductees to focus on their goals to achieve their ultimate aim of becoming legal professionals. “Don’t be distracted by your friends and other social vices but plan all your activities ahead of time to achieve the purpose for which you came to this University,” he advised.
Make Good Use of Opportunities
In his address, the Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Francis Eric Amuquandoh, entreated the students to make good use of the opportunities offered to them by the University to study Law. He urged them to sacrifice and make good use of their time to work extra hard to achieve their aims. “Making good use of your time, being punctual to lectures on time are some of the hallmarks of a good lawyer. As student lawyers, your dress code is unique on campus and this should reflect in whatever you do. You must abide by the rules and regulations of the University,” he advised.
Prof. Amuquandoh who is also the Acting Dean of the Faculty noted that the judicial system of the country was gradually embracing digitisation and, therefore, students should make effort to build their skills in Information Communication and Technology in order to remain relevant in the legal profession. “Some courts in the country have now been automated and before you can even file a case, you need to do it digitally. This shows as future lawyers, you need the 21st-century skills to become relevant and even practice this noble profession,” he admonished them.
Challenge the Status quo
A Supervising High Court Judge in the Western Region, His Lordship Justice Bright Mensah, who gave the keynote address, called on the students to strive to challenge the status quo through reasonable justifications. He cited several provisions in the constitution and certain judgments which had been challenged by some legal practitioners in the country. He noted that their training should help them to develop sound reasoning; critical and analytical skills to examine and provide better alternatives that would help develop society. “You don’t have to take any principle or provisions of the law on its face value. Challenging the status quo is very good for the development of the Law,” he indicated.
Justice Mensah advised the students to develop good reading habits, writing and speaking skills to enable them to make sound arguments in court. “Constant reading, clear and concise writing and good public speaking will make you an outstanding lawyer,” he encouraged them.
The students were inducted into the faculty by a Supervising High Court Judge of the Central Region, Her Ladyship, Mrs. Patience Mills Tetteh who administered the Oath of Junior Member.