Godfred Yeboah Dame with members of the board
The new board members of the Council for Law Reporting have been sworn in with a call on the council to bring its operations in tune with the demands of modernity.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who administered the oath of secrecy and office, said the rapidly evolving technological world implies that law reporting also ought to keep step with the dictates of the times.
The six-member board is chaired by a Supreme Court judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang. Other members are Frederica Sala Hiasu, Anthony Forson Jnr., Samuel Kwasi Kusi Donkor, Dr. Samuel Obeng Manteaw, and Margaret Awuku-Gyekye.
The Attorney General continued that even though by section 17 of NRCD 64, the Ghana Law Report is designated as the official law reports of Ghana which may be cited in proceedings in the courts, a failure to embrace technology and digitisation might imply extinction of the Ghana Law Reports, and other publications the council is authorised by law to engage in, and ultimately the council.
“With the proliferation of rival law reports and the availability of the same on the world wide web at the click of a button, there is an immediate need for your council to fully go digital and improve the speed of law reporting,” he urged.
Mr. Dame said the tendency for the Ghana Law Reports to lag behind in terms of time must be a phenomenon of the past, adding that professional services are rapidly changing and “we all have to adapt in response to the ‘disruption’ forced upon by technology.”
“I am happy that the Editor of the Ghana Law Reports has commenced discussions with me on how to ensure a complete digitisation of the operations of the council. I urge your board to assist in this enterprise,” he disclosed.
Justice Pwamang, on behalf of the board members, expressed appreciation to President Akufo-Addo for the confidence reposed in them.
“Your good self (referring to the Attorney General) has coordinated the processes that are involved in appointments of this nature and we know that you have been at getting the board to be put together,” he stated.
“We shall approach our work with the best of our knowledge, experience and skills in order to uplift the image of the Council for Law Reporting and bring the quality of products and publications which are coming from the council to the highest standard available in order jurisdictions,” he pledged.
He said the board looked forward to cooperation and support from the government to help them achieve the objective.
By Ernest Kofi Adu