Florence Gbolu
10 October 2006
THE CATHOLIC Archbishop of Kumasi, Most Rev. Peter K. Sarpong, has called on Legal Practitioners to work efficiently in the discharge of their duties and look at corruption from every single angle, as these crimes are contemptuous before the Lord.
The Archbishop made this call at a church service held for Legal Practitioners on the commencement of their 49th legal year.
He advised judges not to take bribe from litigants and also refrain from incompetently giving distorted judgment.
The Archbishop also charged lawyers to desist from giving false hope to a client whom they know has no case.
"Never should an advocate deliberately frustrate his opponent; in short, never should a Judge and Counsel connive to refuse anybody access to justice," he underscored.
According to him, the initiative to overhaul the Judicial Service to become a true channel of access to justice would be a way to calm the Lord's anger against injustice.
He indicated further that the initiative was the only way to bring peace to the country, as there can be no peace in the world without justice.
He therefore called on the judiciary and the Bar to realize their indispensable role in promoting peace through justice.
Speaking further, Most Rev. Sarpong charged Legal Practitioners to live their lives like the Prophet Moses and be determined to mete out justice to all who come to them without adjourning cases unnecessarily.
"Allow, or if you have been doing so, continue to allow the Ghanaian quick access to justice and you will be God-like."
He noted that the role Legal Practitioners play in society was sacred and therefore should not be polluted.
He also commended the introduction of the Alternative Dispute Resolution and hoped it helps to resolve disputes between parties in civil matters, promote peace and reconciliation, expedite action and avert corrupt practices.
Lamenting further on some practice of jurisprudence by legal practitioners, he said it must make justice available and equal to every person.
The officiating Clergy at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Primate and Archbishop of West Africa and Bishop of Accra, Most Reverend Dr. Justice O. Akrofi, offered prayers for the country, the President, the Courts of Justice and the Bar Association.
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