A group calling itself the Taxpayers Union has declared support for the planned protest by students of the Ghana School of Law on Monday October 7.
The students are protesting the repetitive mass failure recorded at entrance exams to the school of law.
In a statement, the Taxpayer Union said:”Clearly, It has gone beyond a mere issue of legal prestige and protectionism. The issue is a question of policy. An executive policy on legal education in Ghana requiring sweeping progressive reforms that takes into consideration, the psychological, social, economic and national interests of both the already financially-burdened law students and the state. This is the fierce urgency of now; particularly, when the Chief Justice’s – who is paid by our tax contributions – reasoning for not allowing “mass production” of lawyers is fundamentally flawed. It is flawed because a controlled system can equally produce unethical lawyers. If her issue is about ethics in the legal profession, that is fine. However, that issue can’t be resolved by restricting the production of lawyers”.
It further noted: “Indeed, legal education is within the powers of the executive and not the judiciary as has been made to look like today. It’s essentially the lack of progressive reforms and action from the President, Nana Akufo-Addo that has brought the country’s legal education to its knees. Government must intervene and show leadership NOW.
“It is in the light of the above that we render our unqualified support to the upcoming protest on Monday, 7th October 2019. We, by this release, are asking all our members across the country to participate in the protest. Indeed, 7th October shall be a REDMONDAY”.
Below are details of the statement
The Taxpayers Union (TU) has been following recent developments in the corridors of Ghana’s legal education. The massive failures that rocked the 2019 entrance exams, and, particularly, students of the Ghana Law School hoping to progress to the second year of their studies presents the height of the decade-old challenges with legal education in this country.
Clearly, It has gone beyond a mere issue of legal prestige and protectionism.
The issue is a question of policy. An executive policy on legal education in Ghana requiring sweeping progressive reforms that takes into consideration, the psychological, social, economic and national interests of both the already financially-burdened law students and the state. This is the fierce urgency of now; particularly, when the Chief Justice’s – who is paid by our tax contributions – reasoning for not allowing “mass production” of lawyers is fundamentally flawed. It is flawed because a controlled system can equally produce unethical lawyers. If her issue is about ethics in the legal profession, that is fine. However, that issue can’t be resolved by restricting the production of lawyers.
More importantly, all law students pay taxes – directly or indirectly. Law students are already burdened with the increment of taxes by the state today. Majority have to struggle for loans in order to pay their exorbitant fees. Indeed, many are in huge debts today. Again, the cost of remarking per paper is extremely high creating an obstacle for an effective appeal process which is a cardinal feature in any democratic and rule-of-law-abiding society. Starting all over again for many means they have no option than to quit their studies. This is also worsened with the lack of any functional scholarship opportunities for most of these law students. The law student today is “poor” and without any help.
We are not calling for mass production of lawyers. We are calling for a reasonable and common-sensical approach to dealing with this issue. It has proven clearly to be beyond the General Legal Council.
It warrants a policy reform and action now. Indeed, legal education is within the powers of the executive and not the judiciary as has been made to look like today. It’s essentially the lack of progressive reforms and action from the President, Nana Akufo-Addo that has brought the country’s legal education to its knees. Government must intervene and show leadership NOW.
It is in the light of the above that we render our unqualified support to the upcoming protest on Monday, 7th October 2019. We, by this release, are asking all our members across the country to participate in the protest. Indeed, 7th October shall be a REDMONDAY. Thank you.
Sincerely, Taxpayers Union.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm
