Former Abuakwa South Member of Parliament and lawyer, Samuel Atta Akyea, has criticised the formation of a new Ghana Bar Association, describing the move as “funny” and politically motivated.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Atta Akyea argued that the new association appears to have been created as a rival body to the existing Ghana Bar Association (GBA), which he claims some members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) perceive as being sympathetic to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“They have brought a new one, and it is funny,” he said.
According to him, Ghana’s legal profession is already united under the GBA, which has members from different political backgrounds.
“We’re all under the Ghana Bar Association, with both NDC and NPP lawyers as members,” he stated.
Mr Atta Akyea alleged that the establishment of a separate lawyers’ association is aimed at creating an alternative voice to the existing Bar.
“This special association is a counterforce because they believe the existing Ghana Bar Association has an inclination towards the NPP,” he said.
He rejected the idea that lawyers who defend constitutional principles should be viewed from a partisan perspective, stressing that respect for democracy and the rule of law is central to the legal profession.
“No lawyer who knows the law can be against democracy. Democracy is the rule of law. It is a Constitution-driven arrangement,” he said.
The former lawmaker added that lawyers, regardless of their political affiliations, are expected to uphold constitutional governance.
“Any lawyer who is attracted to a political party will still tilt towards the Constitution. Most of those who uphold the Constitution are perceived as NPP members, so they have to look for a countervailing force,” he added.
Mr Atta Akyea also questioned the relevance of the new association, arguing that it would have limited impact on Ghana’s legal space.
“The membership is not even up to 5,000. What special thing are they going to do? Write a new Constitution for Ghana?” he questioned.
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