The Acting Chief Justice of Ghana, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has emphasised the need for the integration of legal ethics at every stage of legal education in Ghana.
He described this as crucial to the development of competent and principled legal professionals.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie made the call on Monday, July 21, 2025, during the official commissioning of the state-of-the-art Moot Court facility at the UPSA Law School.
He praised UPSA for what he described as a landmark achievement in the advancement of legal education and advocacy training in the country.
“This state-of-the-art facility represents not only a physical space but a bold step towards nurturing the next generation of legal minds who will shape the future of justice, equity, and rule of law in our nation,” he remarked.
The Acting Chief Justice commended UPSA for its unwavering commitment to excellence and professional education, stressing the importance of instilling ethical standards in students as the nation explores ways to expand access to legal education.
“It is not like a one-off subject that you do in your final year,” he said in reference to legal ethics. “You will be learning it as and when, like the English language, because it is important. An undisciplined lawyer is no lawyer at all.”
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie urged students to take their ethical responsibilities seriously, stating that “as future lawyers, you are not just advocates for your clients but stewards of justice and guardians of the Constitution.”
Vice-Chancellor of UPSA, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to delivering transformative legal education and breaking traditional boundaries in both legal and general scholarship.
He noted that the commissioning of the Moot Court marks a significant milestone in bridging the gap between theory and practice in legal training.
“The Moot Court is more than a physical courtroom replica; it is a critical tool that allows students to step into the shoes of legal practitioners, judges, and legal scholars,” Prof. Mawutor stated.
“It is where law comes alive—where young minds debate, argue, reason, and reflect; where confidence is built, eloquence is sharpened, and justice is understood beyond the pages of a textbook.”
Dean of the UPSA Law School, Professor Ernest Kofi Abotsi, reiterated the Law School’s commitment to hands-on legal training, adding that the new facility is a testament to the school’s progressive approach to legal education.
“Our students are not only masters of theory but also people who have perfected practice itself,” he said.
Prof. Abotsi added that the moot court commissioning is a major step in UPSA’s efforts to provide experiential learning platforms and equip its law students with the practical skills required for today’s legal profession.
