Kofi Boakye, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, and Others Sworn In as Notaries Public of Supreme Court in Ghana
In a significant development for Ghana’s legal system, retired Commissioner of Police Kofi Boakye, political analyst Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, and 90 other esteemed individuals were sworn in as Notaries Public of the Supreme Court of Ghana. The ceremony took place on Monday, marking a new chapter in their legal careers.
A notary public holds a crucial role as a public officer appointed by law to serve the public in various matters, particularly those related to estates, deeds, powers of attorney, and international business. They are appointed by the state to act as impartial witnesses, ensuring the authenticity and validity of important documents.
Under Act 26 of the Notaries Public Act of 1960, individuals eligible for appointment as Notaries Public must possess high moral character, proven integrity, and at least 10 years of experience as a lawyer. The 92 lawyers who received this honor have been vetted and cleared of any ethical infractions by the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and the General Legal Council (GLC), affirming their fitness for the role.
Prominent figures among the newly appointed notaries public include Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and Nana Adjoa Hackman, co-founders and managing partners at Africa Legal Associates (ALA), as well as Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, Executive Director of the National Identification Authority (NIA), and Ralph Poku-Adusei, Managing Partner at Trent Legal Amansie Chambers.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Justice Justice Kwasi Anin Yeboah urged the notaries public to fulfill their duties diligently and in compliance with the Notaries Act. He emphasized the importance of their role in the justice delivery system and encouraged them to apply their extensive legal experience to their new responsibilities.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Godfred Yeboah Dame, in his address, highlighted the essential functions of a Notary Public as outlined in the law. These functions include drawing, attesting, or certifying various documents such as wills, property conveyances, powers of attorney, contracts, and trusts.
The appointment of these 92 distinguished lawyers as Notaries Public serves as a testament to their expertise, integrity, and commitment to upholding the legal profession. Their collective contribution to the justice system in Ghana is expected to be invaluable.
In a nutshell, the swearing-in ceremony of Kofi Boakye, Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, and the other notaries public is a significant milestone that reinforces the importance of legal expertise and integrity in Ghana’s legal system.
Their appointment reflects their years of experience, ethical standing, and dedication to serving the public. Going forward, they will play a crucial role in verifying and certifying important legal documents, ensuring transparency and reliability in various legal transactions. Their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the justice delivery system and contribute to the advancement of Ghana’s legal landscape.