Approximately 1,500 lawyers were called to the Ghana Bar last week, sparking debate over whether Ghana is producing too many legal professionals. While some argue this detracts from the development of other professions, others believe the rising number of lawyers is not a concern. The real issue is the perception that only lawyers can contribute to national discourse, which overshadows other fields such as engineering and medicine. Many aspiring lawyers pursue the profession for prestige or political reasons rather than a genuine interest in law. Society must value diverse accomplishments, encouraging expertise across various sectors rather than equating legal titles with intelligence or success.
Tag: Law
STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR LAWYERS
According to research, one of the biggest problems confronting lawyers is stress management in the workplace. Therefore, effective stress management is one way to be efficient and effective at work.
“At least get good at selling tomatoes before getting into hard-core politics”, Prof. Raymond A. Atuguba advises young politicians to have a career or professional track record.
In a recent interview on the podcast, “All the Way Up”, the Former Executive Secretary to President John Mahama and the current Dean of the University of Ghana, School of Law, Prof. Raymond A. Atuguba shared his journey and experience of being co-opted into mainstream politics. He also shared his journey to becoming a successful lawyer and academic.
THE “LITIGATION TRINITY” WE OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED
In my not-so-many years of practice, I have seen a number of cases dismissed or struck out because of some “minor” errors. One would think that as Legal Practitioners we should hardly commit these errors. Yet I have seen cases being handled by Junior Counsel, Counsel and Senior Counsel dismissed or struck out because of some of the errors in the areas I refer to as the “Litigation Trinity”. The Litigation Trinity: Cause of Action, Parties, Process/Procedure. The Litigation Trinity is the basis of every action in court. You miss a leg of the Trinity and be sure to find your action thrown out. In a football match, the ability of a soccer player to kick and pass the ball on the field of play is the least of his worries. However, it is the control, accuracy and directions of the passes that determine the outcome of the football match. A football team that does not master the “Trinity of Football” – control, accuracy, and direction- is sure to lose the match no matter the percentage of possession or the number of kicks. So it is in the field of litigation. No matter your suave, your advocacy or writing skills, a lawyer who fails to master the Litigation Trinity is bound to lose the case.
Beggars in the City: Civic Responsibility vrs Religious Obligation
In recent years, there have been increased activities of beggars on the principal streets of major cities in the country although begging is a criminal offence under Section 2 of the Beggars and Destitutes Act, 1969 (N.L.C.D. 392). Arguably Accra has been the leader in the activities of beggars in the country. Over the years, I have encountered these seven categories of beggars on the streets of Accra; I describe them by their status and the way they operate.
The legal status of properties purchased for or in the name of a “Slay Queen/Side Chick”, or “Side Guy”.
One cannot help but notice that we are currently in an era of the booming “slay queen” business. There is also the growing trend of “side chick” and “side guy” relationships. In these trends, it is not unusual for properties to be acquired for or in the name of the “side chick”, or “side guy”. Most often when there is a fallout in these amorous relationships there is the issue of one party attempting to retrieve all properties purchased for or in the name of the other party. This is usually met with fierce resistance from the other party whom the said property was purchased for or in whose name it was purchased. The question is, will the purchaser of the said property be able to legally recover the said property from the person the property was purchased for or in whose name it was purchased?
