Last week saw the graduation of some young lawyers being called to the Ghana Bar Association. Pleasing as it may sound the number of lawyers called to the Bar were a minuscule 91 compared to the overall 474.
For the longest time Ghana’s law school policy has been the subject of controversy. The rigorous entrance cut-offs, the duration of the profession’s training as well as the all-round conservative approach by the legal fraternity on almost all matters have festered over the years. For an institution built on libertarian values and ideals these impressions do not do the Association and its lack of legal manpower any good.
Allegations of nepotism, favouritism and subtle clanism annually follow the results of law students. This year unfortunately is no different. Presently, 499 students are demanding a reprieve after their results were disqualified even after passing the exams. The official Twitter of the National Union of Ghanaian Students have voiced out their support for the 499 students whose results were arbitrarily disqualified.
The General Legal Council has long denied students their rights. This time it is too glaring. The 499 students who passed but were disqualified deserve better. We shall not relent until justice is done for them. #JusticeFor499LawStudents
— National Union of Ghana Students (@NUGSOfficial) October 6, 2021
After six years of training, these 499 law students believe it is only just for them to receive the laurel they deserve.
Ghana Twitter went alight with their support for the 499 law students.
Here are 10 reactions to the Twitter hashtag #justicefor499Lawstudents
1. Indeed.
Justice must be done, stand up for the 499 law students#JusticeFor499LawStudents https://t.co/wr47BTo4ge
— AgyeGod? (@ksolo_snr) October 6, 2021
2. Really is.
It's very sad, chale #JusticeFor499LawStudents https://t.co/Vp7r7kZVXD
— SUGAR BREAD??? (@sugarbread__) October 6, 2021
3. Perhaps that is the agenda.
With the way you guys are going Are you trying to discourage the upcoming youth not to study law
— ??????? ???? (@kwesixuccess) October 6, 2021
4. I tell you!
PE exams sef no dey ground na law herh ??? #JusticeFor499LawStudents
— ??????? ???? (@kwesixuccess) October 6, 2021
5. Let’s all support them.
Let’s support these students to be fairly treated #JusticeFor499LawStudents
— Edudzi?✨ (@KophieMahn_) October 6, 2021
6. No reason given.
On what grounds were they not allowed to pass? Like how? #JusticeFor499LawStudents
— Beno SarkCess (@BenopaOnyx1) October 6, 2021
7. It’s up to the neck.
Chale the maltreatment be too much #JusticeFor499LawStudents
— Kumasi Sarkodie? (@KumasiSarkodie_) October 6, 2021
8. Solidarity.
No one deserves to be treated unequal that’s why we seek #JusticeFor499LawStudents
— Edudzi?✨ (@KophieMahn_) October 6, 2021
9. It’s so terrible.
Chale to pass law exams no be easy but look at the stress we making these guys go through #JusticeFor499LawStudents @fatheranthoni @NUGSOfficial
— Prince Oppong ?? (@prince_oppong1) October 6, 2021
10. And Mother Ghana is losing out.
Lots of smart,Brilliant and vibrant Ghanaians are leaving the country to go and study law outside.
I think there is a need for structural reforms and it starts with these 499 students who technically passed#JusticeFor499LawStudents— SALTPOND TIGERWOODℹ (@Arthurockgh) October 6, 2021
