KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR: THE HON. LADY CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, JUSTICE GERTRUDE SACKEY TORKORNOO, AT THE CONFERMENT OF LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT IN LAW AWARD ON PROF. JUSTICE SAMUEL KOFI DATE-BAH (RTD.) ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
Source: judicial_service_of_ghana

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR: THE HON. LADY CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA, JUSTICE GERTRUDE SACKEY TORKORNOO, AT THE CONFERMENT OF LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT IN LAW AWARD ON PROF. JUSTICE SAMUEL KOFI DATE-BAH (RTD.) ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023, LABADI BEACH HOTEL, ACCRA Protocols, Good evening, It is indeed an inestimable privilege to be the Special Guest of Honour on this occasion of honouring and celebrating one of the most distinguished jurists of our time. Professor Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah is a man who leaves no emptiness where he walks, and it is meet and right that we have gathered for him to receive another deserving laurel in his illustrious life and career. I believe I speak for the entire judicial and legal sector when I say that we are happy and proud that Professor Date-Bah is being celebrated in this befitting manner. I extend our profound appreciation to the University of Professional Studies - Accra Law School for this initiative. Professor Date-Bah is a distinguished individual who has dedicated his lifetime to upholding the ideals of personal integrity, the reality of justice, and the rule of law, and his legacy from these noble pursuits will forever be etched in hearts, minds and national history. A forest is a forest only because its trees grow tall and strong. In the same vein, a nation is strong because it is shaped by individuals who make an indelible impact from a position of strength. Such personalities guide the weaker through complexities of life so that together we can grow stranger. Professor Date-Bah, is one such paragon of strength, wisdom and generosity, whose contributions have shaped the course of our nation’s legal institutions, the very framework of law, and who has also worked tirelessly to ensure that the pillars of democracy remain unshaken. Throughout his career as teacher, international public servant and jurist, he has expressed by action, word and work, an unwavering commitment to upholding the principles that support the building of strong nations, and prosperity for all. His journey has been marked not only by intellectual brilliance but also deep-seated empathy for the individuals whose lives are affected by the decisions rendered from the hallowed spaces that he worked from. What is remarkable about Justice Date-Bah is that While contributing to the body of legal knowledge through research, writing and teaching, he generously clearly carried his vocation of teaching with him in a manner that left a trail of certainty that the legal and judicial history of this country cannot be written and experienced without the essence of his work. In the circumstances, we live in a world where his teachings and judgments have shaped not only how the law is practised but also how business, parliamentary business and governance is conducted. Ability to impart knowledge. As a legal luminary, Professor Date-Bah’s expertise and impact stretches across different legal domains, from constitutional law to the intricacies of contract law and the complexities of commercial and company law, where his leadership and impact will be long felt. But for those of us who were lucky enough to work with him, I think that the most striking and inescapable quality that Professor Date-Bah exudes is this remarkable ability to impart knowledge, even in the most unobtrusive ways. Without uttering statements or attempting to teach in conventional ways, in any short time of interaction, Professor Data Bah can dispense professional and life lessons that can have a transformative effect on life and career. Indeed, while many of thought leaders ask for attention to be paid to their words, Professor Date-Bah does the opposite. He unobtrusively guides such that simply watching him leads to understanding what he wishes to teach. Whether it is his quiet acceptance of leadership position, followed by dedication to making a success of what has been entrusted to him, or through the intellectual weight of his rulings or the exhibition of personal grace and unwavering discipline, being in his presence for whatever purpose, quickly turns into a lesson on how to understand law, and live life such that it can be of maximum benefit to community. My personal view is that Professor Date-Bah is a consummate teacher, and each interaction with him is an exercise in receiving knowledge. Profound integrity Another trait that must be noted is the profound integrity of His Lordship Date-Bah. Again, this was not a commitment to which he paid lip service; it is a quality found from every way in which he expresses himself. In the rough and tumble of life, as we seek our various ends, the concept of integrity often becomes a slippery log that can seem difficult to appreciate. But integrity beckons us to weave our lives into a harmonious blend that not only syncs with the demands of our chosen paths but the diverse strings of our lives and those that we need to live and work with. As a teacher and a judge, our honouree displayed and embodied a man at peace with every part of his life, allowing the harmony to blend into candour that is inescapable. A teacher moulds minds, fostering curiosity and wisdom. The legal scholar safeguards justice, ensuring societal equilibrium. With the fierce integrity with which he functioned, Justice Date-Bah taught and gave every act and effort to shaping principles of justice, order and equity in every interaction. Justice Date-Bah has stood as a steadfast guardian of the seeming elusive concept of justice with judgments characterised by meticulous research, eloquent reasoning and a compassionate understanding of the human condition in order to move what he taught and wrote from mere legalities, to shaping our society into one in which every individual, regardless of background, could find solace in the impartiality and safety of law. Thus it was that his opinion in Faroe Atlantic v the Attorney General [2005-2006] SCGLR 271 , he brought his intricate grasp of the fine lines of international law, law of contract, and constitutional law to settle how the will of the sovereign people of Ghana can only be ascertained by what its representatives have agreed to in parliament, when it comes to international business contracts. Success The last quality I would like us to reflect on tonight is “Success”. It is my belief that Professor Date-Bah embodies the notion of success. What really, does it mean to be successful? Some argue that objective measures of success exist, and these measures manifest in visible benchmarks such as professional achievement or material acquisitions. My humble perspective is that genuine success is not found in external standards. It involves possessing a clear understanding of one's own aspirations, and intended impacts, and achieving those aspirations, making those impacts, and leaving behind a lasting legacy that precisely aligns with one's pre-determined intentions. Professor Date-Bah’s profound immersion in commercial law, contract law, and international law during his tenure as an educator point to his commitment to these fields. The imprints he has left behind include prolific writings in his chosen fields, and the cultivation of intellectual understanding of these fields. But his imprints go beyond the scholarly work, and his work as a jurist. In sync with the integrity and generosity with which he expresses his contributions, we have found his work stretching further to contribute extensively to national regulation of industry and business. From classroom and courtroom, he walked his talk into leadership in the transition of Ghana's company law and practice as the daunting task of reviewing the Companies Act of 1962 into the Companies Act of 2000 needed to be done. His unwavering dedication to his field, coupled with his profound grasp of the practical application of law, allowed him to lead the task of expressing legislative requisites and designing corporate practices that must flow in regulation. His impact, through this, has moved from classroom, courtroom, to boardroom and the market. His legacy reverberates in the lives touched, the injustices rectified, and the futures safeguarded. As we honour Professor Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah today, I think it is a good time to take a refreshing look at these enduring noble qualities and re calibrate how we commit to giving to society. Looking at our celebrant, it is clear that the tenacious love of sacrifice and giving does not only leave the world well off, but it makes us personally successful. So Prof, please accept the gratitude of the nation, academia and Judicial Service and the nation for your service. Your life's work is an inspiration for all of us. Your unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice has and will continue to serve as a guiding light. Your commitment to the principles of equality and fairness sets an example for future generations of legal minds to emulate. As this honour is conferred upon you, may it stand as a testament to how extraordinary contributions are made from seeming ordinary and simple living. Your legacy will forever be woven into the tapestry of our legal system, and your impact will be felt for generations to come. Thank you very much. Prev Next