Mahama will increase access to legal education – NDC

National Democratic Congress has promised to increase enrollment to the Ghana School of Law if its flagbearer is made Ghana’s President.

A statement signed by the National Youth Organiser of the party, George Opare Addo said the party believes education is crucial to the development of any nation and must be accessed by all, not a privileged few.

“The next NDC government under the leadership of H.E John Dramani Mahama will ensure increased enrollment in legal education whilst preserving the tradition and prestige of the profession,” the statement issued on Monday said.

On Monday law students protested against what they described as “archaic legal education system in Ghana.

The demonstration which was dispersed by the police with rubber bullets was also to protest against mass failure recorded in last month’s Ghana School of Law entrance examination.

The protestors who alleged that there is a deliberate attempt to restrict access to legal education to some privileged few have been given hope in the next NDC government.

Hours after presenting a copy of their petition to Flag-bearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, the party says “the NDC will as a matter of urgency constitute a Committee and engage all relevant stakeholders with the aim of improving access to legal education…”

Read the full statement below.

NDC condemns police brutality against Law Students

The Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has received reports with video evidence, police brutality and unwarranted violent attacks on law students and associates peacefully marching in their demand for legal education in Ghana to be opened up and made available to all qualified persons. The actions of the personnel of the Ghana Police Service is unprofessional and we condemn it in no uncertain terms.

For the record, there is no law in Ghana against the right to peaceful protest by the Public Order Act. It is, therefore, worrying that in this day and age, the Police Service will mete out violence to peaceful protestors.

The behaviour of the men in uniform must be condemned by all and we call on all Ghanaians, civil society groups, religious and allied groups to condemn their actions. We will not stand by for law enforcement agencies to be arbitrary in the discharge of their duties. We further call on the Inspector General of Police, James Oppong Boanuh to investigate this matter and officers found culpable be punished.

The Youth Wing applauds the demonstrators, mostly law students from tertiary institutions and the Ghana National Association of Law Students for standing up and coming together to peacefully press home their demand. Indeed this phenomenon has become an albatross on legal education in Ghana.

At the heart of this historic March, today is limited access to legal education in the country. There are more Law graduates than the system is willing to accommodate to be trained as Lawyers. Those in charge of legal education have always argued on limited facilities and what effect so-called mass production of Lawyers will have on the legal profession.

The next NDC government under the leadership of HE John Dramani Mahama will ensure that there is an increase in the access to legal education whilst preserving the tradition and prestige of the profession. The NDC will as a matter of urgency constitute a Committee and engage all relevant stakeholders to improve access to legal education without compromising on quality.

The National Democratic Congress believes education is crucial to the development of any nation and must be accessed by all, not a privileged few. It is in this spirit and that of camaraderie that we stand with our ‘brothers from the law fraternity’ to press home their demands.

Aluta Continua!

Victoria Ascerta!!

Signed,

George Opare Addo,

National Youth Organizer,

National Democratic Congress.