In dashing pictures of the elegant, black ceremonial gown adorned with the aura of accomplishment and the scale of justice, Sammi Awuku Esq, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchey Esq, and Hon. Vincent Asafuah Esq, all prominent members of the NPP, have been spotted radiating confidence, tenacity, and a promising future.
Earning the title “Esquire” as a result of their Call to the Bar is no mere feat, but also no mere responsibility ahead.
However, in the meanwhile, 1092 new esquires have been admitted. In a glamourous and long-awaited ceremony held at the Accra International Conference Centre, amidst a phenomenal aura of achievement, the new lawyers, cladded in symbolic black gowns, adorned with mortarboard caps and tassels, as the air hums with triumph, took to their social media platforms to express their joy.
Applause echoed through the hall full of esteemed personalities of the Court, celebrating the journey’s culmination and heralding the commencement of a promising legal odyssey for them and a sense of pride for their families, friends, and well-wishers.
In his post on Twitter, the CEO of the National Lottery Authority and former National Organizer of the NPP, Sammi Awuku Esq., recounted their tempestuous journey.
“Embarking on this journey was quite daunting. Years of long hours of lectures, sleepless nights, engaging in unending group discussions, and reading volumes of books have finally paid off in birthing an added career path for us.”
Sammi Awuku
He also expressed his gratitude to all those who supported his journey.
“I am immensely grateful to my lecturers, seniors, colleagues, and family who played a significant role in attaining this success.”
Sammi Awuku
“May God continue to guide us on this path we have chosen”, he added.
In addition, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Ministry, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, was among the newly qualified lawyers who were called to the Ghana Bar on October 20, 2023.
In a post on Twitter on Friday, the Foreign Affairs Minister wrote “Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey Esq. Grateful”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration also took to its Twitter page to congratulate the former MP for Anyaa Sowutuom; “Congratulations to Hon. Minister on being called to the Bar!”
Ms Botchwey was appointed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as Minister of Foreign Affairs on 10 January 2017. She was a Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom from 2013 to 2021 and served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and a Minister of State at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works, and Housing under John Kufuor.
Member for Parliament of Old Tafo Constituency has also been call to the bar, amidst congratulatory messages from friends and family.
Notably, popularly Ghanaian YouTuber, Elorm Ababio, popularly known as Ama Governor, was denied entry into the law fraternity once again.
The ceremony, which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre, was witnessed by a large gathering of dignitaries, including the Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, members of the diplomatic corps, and family and friends of newly called barristers.
The Call To The Bar
The term “bar” is a metonym which refers to the railing in the courtroom that separates the attorneys, jurors, and judges from the courtroom audience.
Being called to the bar is a legal term in most common law jurisdictions. it depicts the process of being qualified to argue in the court on behalf of another party. In some jurisdictions, upon admission to the Bar, the title Esquire is bestowed upon the new lawyer.
Thus, the Call to the Bar is a ceremonial recognition of attorneys to practice law, upon the completion of the mandatory professional legal examinations and apprenticeship.
Given the demanding requirements and rigorous process of passing the professional law exams, it is very justified lawyers popularly and reservedly call one another “learned colleagues”.
The General Legal Council of Ghana called 1092 newly qualified lawyers to the Ghana Bar at the annual event to enroll the new member of the Ghana Bar Association. The total number of 2023’s new licensed lawyers is an improvement from 2022’s total of 1075.
