The Law Society of Ghana (LSG) has debunked claims that the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has resigned from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).

According to the Society, such reports are false and misleading because the Speaker has never uttered such a statement in any of his engagements, including the recent one when members of the LSG paid him a visit. The Society emphasized that the purpose of the visit was to congratulate Mr Bagbin on his elevation as President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) of the world and also to introduce the new Lawyers Society of Ghana to him.

“It must be placed on record that nowhere in the Speaker’s welcoming remarks during our visit did he ever state that he has resigned from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA). In his remarks, he expressed in strong words his revulsion about the state of the GBA and wishes to see a change for a better Bar Association committed to the aims, objectives and ethics as captured and practised globally.”
Law Society of Ghana

Contained in a statement signed by LSG’s acting President, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, it stated that the GBA, according to the Speaker, has now become too “elitist”. It noted that Mr Bagbin explained that he used to pay his dues religiously until it came to his attention that any lawyer that had a close association with the then Public Tribunal Court was not recognised and paid their last respects by the GBA, upon death.

“He cited instances. As a result, his interest in the GBA has diminished and with it the non-payment of his membership dues.”
Law Society of Ghana

Alban Bagbin welcomes formation of LSG

The Society noted that the Speaker welcomed the formation of the Law Society of Ghana (LSG) and pledged his unflinching support to the Interim Executives and the Society to establish and develop a better professional group. Additionally, it highlighted that Mr Bagbin was excited to know about the “novelty of roping on board not only lawyers but paralegals”, law Students at the Ghana School of Law and the Law Teaching Faculties at the Universities.

“His interest and excitement of LSG also stems from the fact that he together with learned senior Ward Brew, Esq had actually earlier sponsored the formation of the Bar Association of Ghana (BAG) when the frustration from the GBA became unbearable until some impediments came their way, which impediments rendered the forward march of BAG impossible or near impracticable.”
Law Society of Ghana

Mr Bagbin, the Society revealed, charged the LSG to seek to shape national discourse and fight against injustice in all forms in Ghana. He further advised LSG to come up with reasoned legal opinions and constructive criticisms of Court judgements so as to enrich its law reports and publish same in Journals.

“He finally pledged his overwhelming support to the LSG.”
Law Society of Ghana

The delegation was led by the Interim LSG President, Hon. Rockson Dafeamekpor, Esq. (MP), who congratulated the Speaker on his new position as the President of the CPA. The Acting President bemoaned the GBA deviation from its core values and mandate in terms of fairness, inclusiveness, defending lawyers and promoting lawyers’ welfare.