Ghana’s Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Araba Esaaba Torkornoo, has issued a stern warning to legal practitioners to avoid unethical practices in their profession.
Speaking at the 2024/2025 Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, Justice Torkornoo expressed disappointment at the increasing trend of lawyers prioritizing wealth creation over ethical conduct.
She highlighted that many lawyers have been referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the General Legal Council for unethical behaviour towards their clients, underscoring the need for a shift in professional attitude.
Justice Torkornoo emphasized that the legal profession should not be seen as a quick path to wealth but as a noble field that demands integrity and commitment.
To address these concerns, the Chief Justice revealed that the General Legal Council is collaborating with the Council of Law Deans to integrate legal ethics into the faculty curriculum.
Justice Torkornoo urged lawyers to recognize their role as officers and guardians of the law and to refrain from viewing the law merely as a means of financial gain.
She said, “I must also, very unhappily refer to the consistently increasing numbers of lawyers that are referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the general legal council for unethical practises against their clients. The general legal council is actively working, engaging the council of law deans, concerning the mainstreaming of the study of legal ethics at the faculty level.”
“There seems to be an untoward notion that the law is the root of becoming rich early. However, as officers and guardians of law, I implore lawyers to appreciate their secret role and reduce the treatment of the law only as an avenue for wealth creation.”
