KOFI ANOKYE OWUSU-DARKO (BLOG 1)

INTRODUCTION In the digital age, where information travels faster than it can be verified, the pursuit of truth has become both more urgent and more vulnerable. In Ghana, increasing concerns over digital falsehoods have sparked calls for new “cybersecurity” laws to address online deception. However, such reactions often overlook a foundational principle of sound lawmaking: good law should remain technology-neutral. As society grapples with the growing influence of online content, it is essential to distinguish between two commonly conflated terms— misinformation and disinformation —since legal responses must be guided by intent and harm, not the medium of communication. While the digital space may amplify the speed or reach of harm, it does not alter the legal character of the act. In this context, misinformation refers to false or misleading information shared without the intent to deceive. It typically arises from error, haste, or misunderstanding—such as a journalist misquoting a ...

INTRODUCTION Legal education in Ghana stands at the crossroads of significant reform. For decades, aspiring lawyers have navigated a two-stage process: first, an academic LLB degree obtained at a university, followed by a competitive entrance examination into the Ghana School of Law (Makola) for professional training. This system has produced countless lawyers, yet it has also faced persistent criticism for its bottlenecks, exclusivity, and opacity. The ongoing reforms — which propose removing the General Legal Council’s (GLC) direct role in training and introducing a centralized bar examination — are therefore a welcome development. They promise broader access, greater transparency, and alignment with professional qualification models such as ACIB, ACCA, or CIMA. In an earlier article, “ The Law, Common Sense and Wisdom,” published in the Business & Financial Times on 18th November 2023, I reflected on Justice Senyo Dzamefe (JSC)’s observation that “ there is a difference be...

  INTRODUCTION In the quiet of a courtroom, tradition often feels invincible. Legal robes, solemn judges, and the weight of precedent define a space long thought immune to disruption. Yet in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries from medicine to finance, the legal profession has clung to the belief that it is untouchable. Its rituals, reasoning, and rhetoric have seemed too human, too intuitive, too nuanced to replicate. But even here, change has arrived—not as a junior advocate, but as a digital legal assistant. As a digital rights advocate with an appreciation for law and information technology , I have long been intrigued by the intersection of technology and justice . Motivated by AI’s evolving capabilities, I developed a legal assistant tool capable of analysing judgments, identifying legal issues, predicting appellate outcomes , and supporting litigants—particularly those who, under Ghanaian law, are entitled to represent themselves. The my...