The General Legal Council (GLC) has directed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate (PC) for the Sekondi Constituency, Lawyer Blay Nyameke Armah, to submit his enrollment certificate for verification.
The GLC has received a complaint alleging that he is holding himself out publicly as a lawyer despite not being qualified to do so.
The letter from the GLC stated that failure to comply with this request could result in a referral to the Office of the Attorney General for criminal prosecution. The complaint asserts that Lawyer Nyameke Armah has been publicly presenting himself as a lawyer, leading to this action from the GLC.
In a letter dated August 15, 2024, addressed to Mr. Blay Nyameke Armah, Justice Cyra Pamela C. A. Koranteng, Secretary of the GLC, stated that the GLC is investigating the complaint. The letter reads: “I have been directed by the Honourable Lady Chief Justice and Chairperson of the General Legal Council to request you to submit your enrollment certificate for verification, failing which you will be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution pursuant to Section 9(2) of the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32).”
Explanation
Earlier this year, in February, the NDC PC’s lawyer, J. Opoku Agyei from the Opoku Agyei & Co. firm, issued a statement addressing the matter. According to the legal representatives, their client has been using the title “Lawyer” since childhood due to being named after a notable family member, and not with the intention of misleading anyone about his professional qualifications.
The statement, released on February 9, 2024, and signed by J. Opoku Agyei Esq., explains: “Our client has been called ‘Lawyer’ since childhood, and that is the name most people have known him by. He has never presented himself as a lawyer called to the bar in Ghana.” The statement further clarifies that Mr. Armah’s involvement in politics in Sekondi has brought this matter into the public eye.
The statement also notes that the admiration for the “Lawyer Blay” appellation inspired Mr. Armah to pursue legal education. He studied law in the United Kingdom, completing an Integrated Master’s in Law Program, which combines the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and Master of Laws (LL.M) degrees. He also completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and his training contract, placing him on the Solicitors’ path.
Full Statement
The attention of Mr. Blay Nyameke Armah has been drawn to a matter concerning his qualifications. Mr. Armah is named after his grandfather, the renowned Lawyer Blay of Sekondi. Given his namesake’s esteemed status, it is not surprising that family members, friends, and the public have addressed him as “Lawyer Blay” since childhood.
“Lawyer Blay” has become akin to a nickname for him. Mr. Armah has never intended to misrepresent himself as a lawyer in Ghana. This issue has gained prominence primarily because of his political involvement in Sekondi.
Admiration for the “Lawyer Blay” title motivated him to pursue a legal career. He studied law in the United Kingdom, where he completed an Integrated Master’s in Law Program, which includes the LL.B and LL.M degrees, and followed it with the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and his training contract.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Murtala Inusah
