Killing me softly: How Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ “authentication” directive is sending the “omnia praesumuntur” rule to an early grave

The study and practice of law affords no dull moments; there is always something new, exciting, interesting, outrageous or simply bizarre to engage one’s thoughts. Those of us who were in law practice in the late 1990s and early 2000s will recall a particular “Notice” posted on the Notice Boards of the High Courts (then at the High Court Building close to GCB Bank and the 28th February Roads Courts [otherwise known as ‘Cocoa Affairs’ Courts]). The notice was reportedly issued by a number of foreign European Embassies/High Commissions in Ghana. The notice contained a veritable list of lawyers by full name and it basically informed the whole world that, any documents signed or notarized by any of the listed lawyers were not acceptable to the said foreign missions. Holy cow!

It was a clear case of foreign missions in Ghana, a sovereign country, brazenly posting such a defamatory notice about some members of the Bar at the Court House and walking away freely. Surprisingly, those notices were on the Notice Boards for weeks until they either faded or were ripped off by some incensed elements. The question that kept budging most people was; ‘who authorized this notice to be put on the Notice Board’ but alas, the question remained largely rhetorical.

Kindly read the attached document below for the full article: