National Daily

Ghana CJ advocates uniform legal framework for W/Africa

By FIDELIS UGBOMEH

THE Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship, Justice Georgina Theodora Wood has said that a uniform legal framework is necessary to develop the maritime industry in West Africa sub-region.

Wood stated this in a message sent to the 10th Maritime Seminar for Judges which opened today in Abuja.
According to her, operators and stakeholders yearn for certainty, consistency and lucidity in judicial decisions and I cannot think of a more appropriate forum to develop these ideals than this one.

She said that she was happy to note that there were more similarities than divergence in the corpus of admirality law of Ghana and Nigeria and indeed the entire West African sub-region.

``What is needed, however, is a forum to consolidate and develop these laws for the long term benefit of our common interest'', Wood said.

She stated that ``the maritime industry is inherently international and developing countries must as matter of necessity create a strong and permanent bilateral institutions to promote and defend common positions.

The Ghanaian Chief Judge urged the judiciary of the West Africa sub-region to use the seminar as a platform for conscious and concerted efforts with the ultimate aim of unifying the body of laws which govern shipping and international trade within the sub-region.

``I am glad because this forum undoubtedly accord us the right atmosphere to exchange ideas and opinions that will on the long run fester, improve and develop our common judicial interest within this maritime sub-region'', Wood said.