The Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has urged officers and members of newly inaugurated Justice Clubs in selected senior high schools (SHSs) to become ambassadors of justice everywhere.
“Do not seek justice only in your classrooms, but in your homes, your churches, your mosques, your communities, your friendships and eventually your workplaces”, he said.
He urged them to carry justice into every conversation, fairness into every decision and integrity into every opportunity for the benefit of themselves and the nation.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie made the remarks in a congratulatory message at the inauguration and swearing-in of officers of selected SHSs in the Ashanti Region last Friday (July 17).
It was on the theme: “Cybersecurity and emerging trends: Empowering the youth in today’s digital era”.
Schools, mentorship
The beneficiary SHSs are Afia Kobi Ampem Girls, Anglican SHS, Dwamena Akenten SHS, Effiduase SHS and Juaben SHS. The rest are Knongo Odumase SHS, Opoku Ware School, Prempeh College, St Monica’s SHS and Yaa Asantewaa Girls.
The formation of the Justice Clubs in SHSs formed part of the Chief Justice’s Mentoring Programme initiated in 2018 and designed to demystify the justice system to bring it closer to young people and to spark curiosity about the law and its impact on daily activities.
Ghana’s future
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said habits, once formed in the youth, often remained for life, thus it was important for them to develop healthy and positive habits, adding that “the values we cultivate today in the youth will become the character by which they will be known tomorrow”.
He said the future of Ghana would be better secured by raising young men and women whose consciences remained stronger than temptation, whose integrity remained greater than personal gain, and whose commitment to justice remained unwavering even when no one was watching.
“As these clubs continue to spread across our country, my hope is that they will become places where curiosity is encouraged, leadership is nurtured, service is celebrated, and justice becomes not merely a subject to be studied, but a way of life to be lived”.
While commending the Ghana Education Service, the Judicial Service and other stakeholders for their tremendous support, stressing that it was gratifying to know that nation-building began with young people.
Responsible citizens
The Judicial Secretary, Musah Ahmed, noted that raising responsible citizens to contribute towards Ghana’s growth and development was a shared national responsibility.
“Nurturing responsible citizens towards national progress is not the work of one institution. Everyone has a role to play towards raising worthy citizens for the benefit of the nation,” he said.
He stated that the establishment of the clubs in SHSs nationwide by the Judicial Service was in recognition that “if we want a society that respects justice tomorrow, we must introduce our young ones far to the principles of today”.
“We cannot afford to wait until our turn to speak of integrity, responsibility and respect for all.
Character is like a dream as it grows stronger and deeper the earlier it is planted and carefully nurtured,” he stated.
Powerful demonstration
In a remark, the Chair of Chief Justice’s Mentoring Programme, Justice Professor Olivia Anku-Tsede, said the intervention was a powerful demonstration of the judiciary’s commitment to supporting the youth to acquire knowledge.
“It is our hope that this move will inspire every student here today to pursue excellence, uphold the rule of law and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the nation, irrespective of the profession they ultimately choose,” she said.
Theme
Justice Prof. Anku-Tsede said that the students were not mere users of modern technology, but were future leaders, builders, protectors and innovators of Ghana’s digital future.
“Whatever you share online can either protect your future or endanger it.
It can either uplift others or harm them.
Choose, therefore, to be careful, respectful and responsible whenever you enter the digital space,” she told the students.
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