“You canot behave in obscene and offensive and expext to be called to the bar” – CJ Torkornoo

The Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo has justified the decision not to call persons with “obscene” and “offensive” conduct to the bar.

This explanation surfaces in the aftermath of an incident involving a Ghana School of Law student, widely known as “Ama Governor” on social media, who faced denial of her call to the bar.

The denial came after a petition was filed with the General Legal Council, specifically concerning “Ama Governor’s” conduct on social media, just days prior to her scheduled call to the bar.

During a discussion on the qualifications required for bar admission at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration’s (GIMPA) Law Faculty, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo emphasized the significance of behavior in this context. In her words, “when somebody has behaved in a certain way and we say we cannot call the person to the bar…”

“I was surprised at the furore that rose up concerning the call to the bar of certain people and I thought, like seriously, this is proper conduct for the legal sector?, That’s interesting…”

“Anyway, so for you to come into our space, and to come into the space of the legal sector, your conduct cannot be obscene and offensive and you expect that you would be admitted. It doesn’t work like that.”

“Your comments on social media, your ex parte communications for judges is extremely critical,” she added,