By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, Oct 31, GNA – Chief Justice Mr Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has inaugurated Justice Clubs for selected senior high schools in the Northern and North East Regions to promote justice, integrity and respect for the rule of law among students.
The beneficiary institutions included Savelugu Senior High School (SHS), Presbyterian SHS, Tamale, St Charles Minor Seminary SHS, Tamale Girls SHS, Tamale SHS, Dagbon State Technical SHS and Orange Girls at Walewale.
The inauguration, held in Tamale, was on the theme: “Cybersecurity and Emerging Trends: Empowering the Youth in Today’s Digital Era”.
The ceremony also featured the swearing-in of elected executives of the clubs comprising presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, organising secretaries and treasurers.
Mr Baffoe-Bonnie, while addressing the students, said justice should not be the sole responsibility of judges and lawyers but must begin with individuals particularly young people through their actions and interactions at home, in schools and communities.
He said justice was fundamental to society, and explained that it involved protecting the vulnerable, safeguarding the innocent and ensuring that the powerful were held accountable.
He said the values of justice could be demonstrated through simple everyday actions including treating others fairly, refusing to bully weaker individuals, respecting differences and speaking against wrongdoing.
The Chief Justice urged the newly sworn-in executives to regard their positions as opportunities to serve their colleagues rather than exercise authority over them.
He encouraged them to demonstrate honesty, humility and accountability, stressing that effective leadership should be measured by the number of people who benefited from one’s service.
Mr Baffoe-Bonnie cautioned the students against spreading misinformation particularly on social media and urged them to verify information before sharing it or making allegations against others.
He further encouraged them to stand against discrimination, bullying and unfair treatment and advised female students not to allow gender stereotypes to limit their ambitions and reminded male students to respect girls and women as equal partners in society.
Her Ladyship Justice Professor Olivia Anku-Tsede, a Justice of the Court of Appeal and Chairperson of the Chief Justice Mentoring Programme, said the initiative was established in 2008 by former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood to demystify the justice system and introduce young people to the law.
She said the programme provided students with mentorship opportunities from judges, magistrates, state attorneys and private legal practitioners as well as exposure to moot court activities and introduction to practical issues affecting society.
Justice Anku-Tsede said 38 Justice Clubs had been established in SHSs across the Greater Accra, Western, Central, Eastern and Ashanti Regions since 2024.
She said the inauguration in the Northern and North East Regions brought the total number of clubs to 44, alongside five clubs for Orange Girls.
She added that the initiative also supported vulnerable young women particularly head porters by equipping them with knowledge of their rights, mentorship and opportunities for personal development.
Justice Anku-Tsede cautioned the students against cybercrime, online fraud, cyberbullying, misinformation and identity theft, urging them to acquire relevant digital skills and use technology responsibly.
Naa Mohammed Iddrisu, Chief of Lamanshegu in Tamale commended the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service for the initiative, describing it as an important approach to promoting inclusive development.
Master Abass Osman, President of the Savelugu SHS Justice Club, who spoke on behalf of the other executives, expressed appreciation to the Judicial Service and pledged commitment of the clubs to promote justice and respect for the rule of law in their respective schools.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Solomon Gumah
Email: [email protected]