The Inaugural Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo Moot Court Competition hosted by the GIMPA Law School has officially kicked off today, 4th September, premised by an August opening ceremony held at the Dr. Daniel McKorley Moot Court room at the Green Hill Campus.
The competition is the Maiden National Moot Court Contest, bringing various law faculties across the country to battle for the ultimate glory of the prestigious competition and the bragging right as the best advocates in Ghana. It is slated to span three days, officially ending on Friday, 6th September, under the theme: Ethics, Compliance, and Accountability: A Holistic Approach to Adjudication.
The contest will demand the competing faculties to present convincing arguments before judges in a simulated court hearing on carefully selected legal issues, which requires in-depth research into case laws, legal principles, and table written submissions to win either as the Prosecution or the Defendant.
The competing faculties are Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA), the University of Cape Coast (UCC), and Kings University College.
In attendance at the opening Ceremony was the Chief State Attorney at the Office of the Attorney General, Aduamah Lartey, representing the Guest Speaker, Deputy Attorney General, Diana Asonaba Dapaah, who was away on official duty.
She highlighted the underlying purpose of ethics in the profession of lawyers and its overarching benefits on justice administration.
“Ethics in adjudication is not merely about adhering to the rules but embracing the spirit of fairness, honesty, and integrity.
It is about recognising that our decisions have far-reaching consequences and that we owe it to society to administer justice impartially.”
She further encouraged the participants to view the contest beyond coming out as lawyers but appreciating these skills that are the cornerstones of the profession.
“To the participants, I am sure that you have your eyes set on becoming lawyers, and today, within the confines of this moot court and on behalf of your hypothetical clients, you are lawyers. I want you to understand that a lawyer is a master of language. A weaver of words and an architect of arguments.This mastery of language and persuasion is not merely a skill. It is the cornerstone of our profession and the tool of our trade that transcends the courtroom and permeates every aspect of our lives.” She remarked.
The Dean of GIMPA Law School and Acting Rector of GIMPA, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, touted the contest’s objectives, which seeks to ingrain the students with ethical standards in their future legal advocacy.
“The Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo National Moot Court Competition embodies GIMPA’s dedication to nurturing legal scholarship, fostering professional integrity, and instilling a sense of ethical responsibility among its students. This prestigious event marks a significant milestone in the annals of GIMPA’s legal education legacy, promising to shape the future of legal advocacy in Ghana and beyond,” he said.
The hypothetical trials were divided into three courtrooms, with the competing faculties representing their clients in the respective cases.
The competition is aimed at professional skill development such as legal research, writing, and oral advocacy; extensive research into cases and legal principles; professional networking with the legal community; and bolstering their confidence.
The Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo Moot Court Competition vision seeks to integrate the student of the law into legal practice, and this is the burgeoning edition, which attests to the bright future of the contest.
Story by: Richmond Ampofo Fordjour/www.the1957news.com