The Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has sworn into office a five-member executive of Justice Clubs formed in ten selected senior high schools (SHS) in the Eastern Region.
The executive members of the clubs are from Oyoko Methodist Senior High, Koforidua Secondary Technical School, Pope John's Senior High and Minor Seminary (POJOSS).
The rest are New Juaben Senior High, Abuakwa State College, Kibi Senior High School, Akosombo Senior High School, Akosombo International School, Ofori Panin Senior High School and St. Rose's Senior High School.
The formation of the Justice Clubs in senior high schools formed part of the Judicial Service’s initiative to expose young people to the values of justice, integrity and accountability.
It was also aimed at fostering greater interest among the students in the country's justice system.
Mentorship
The Chief Justice clubs also formed part of the justice mentorship programmes, which seek to nurture a generation of responsible citizens who respect the rule of law and contribute to building society.
Addressing the students at the ceremony, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie said he rose from humble beginnings, having attended a less-endowed senior high school in Goaso in the Ahafo Region, and through determination and perseverance, reached the pinnacle of the country's judicial system.
He, therefore, encouraged the students to be disciplined, diligent and dedicated to their books while in school, to enable them to become useful citizens tomorrow.
Determination
He said with determination and discipline, they (the new executives of the justice clubs) would also be able to achieve what he had accomplished, adding that success was regardless of one's background.
He, therefore, urged them to conduct themselves responsibly, apply technology wisely and work closely with their mentees to roll out programmes that would promote positive behaviour to shape their way of thinking that would support national development.
"I charge you to lead with integrity, humility and diligence. Leadership is not about authority; it is about service and positive influence. Be an example in your conduct and character, inspire your peers to uphold honesty, fairness and discipline, for these are the true foundation of justice,” the Chief Justice said.
Legal awareness
For his part, the Judicial Secretary, Musah Ahmed, said the inauguration of such Justice Clubs marked a major step in the Judicial Service's commitment to strengthening legal awareness and civic responsibility among young people.
He explained that the Justice Clubs, first launched in selected schools in the Greater Accra Region, had grown into an effective platform for helping students to understand how the law applies in everyday life.
He said the positive feedback received so far had motivated the expansion of the programme to more senior high schools.
Mr Ahmed said mentors from both the bench and the bar would guide students through key concepts such as the rule of law, discipline and leadership embedded in legal studies.
Knowledge
The Chairperson of the Chief Justice Mentoring Programme, Justice Professor Olivia Anku Tsede, said young people must be equipped with knowledge and skills not only to pass their examinations but also to understand justice, respect the rights of others and make wise choices to contribute meaningfully to society.
She said conscience was therefore essential in promoting a just and equal society, and urged the club members to be real advocates for justice for a more inclusive society.
The Eastern Regional Director of Education, Professor Ivy Asantewaa Owusu, commended the Judicial Service for extending the programme to the Eastern Region and said it would help shape responsible, justice-minded young people in schools.
Professor Owusu said empowering students with knowledge of the legal system would strengthen democratic culture and promote respect for the rule of law.
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