Lawyer Kofi Bekai, a private legal practitioner, believes that the Ghana School of Law’s directive for students to submit their social media handles for character monitoring is a step in the right direction.
The renowned lawyer argued that people in law school who want to be called to the bar must be people of unquestionable character.
He advised potential lawyers to keep in mind that the legal profession is a noble one and that lawyers must be of the highest integrity.
To him, being called to the bar entails not only passing the bar exams but also passing the integrity and character test.
According to the lawyer, one cannot hide behind their social media handles and spread unverified information, fake news, and comments that undermine the legal profession.
“When you are admitted to law school, you are told that the law is a noble profession that requires men and women of integrity. When you hear this, you should understand that the exam alone will not qualify you for the bar. It goes further than that. Aside from the exams, you must be a good-natured man or woman. You cannot be a law student and participate in activities that bring the profession’s name into disrepute.
This is a call to order, and the school is responsible for ensuring that its students demonstrate good character. Either you follow what the school says or you forget and are fired. This directive is not without reason. Rules and regulations can be called into force and strictly enforced at any time. You must comply if you have been ordered to submit your handles.”
Background
Students at the Ghana School of Law have been asked to submit their social media handles for monitoring.
The school says the directive is to ensure that they maintain a character befitting the legal profession.
The Director of the School, Yaw Oppong, in explaining the reason behind the directive noted that it would help many students willing to be called to the bar to maintain a good character.
“Everybody will have to provide their social media handles. We are going to look at it and you will be monitored in terms of conduct. We are required by law to make recommendations. We don’t want to stampede you.
“You are going to reapply beyond the pass and submit yourselves for all legitimate checks,” Mr Oppong said during the swearing-in ceremony of the School of Law Students’ Representative Council (SRC) executives.
As a result, he charged the students with submitting themselves for character checks prior to the approval of the General Legal Council.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
