The outgoing Leader of the Legal Green Association (LGA), Festus Matey, says the association recorded significant growth and expanded support for law students during his tenure, including an increase in membership from 150 to over 700.
According to him, more than 150 professional law students benefited from scholarship opportunities facilitated through the association, while over 340 students had their fees fully covered under the “No Stress Free Student Loan Scheme”, amounting to more than GH¢10 million.
In a post on social media reflecting on his year in office, Mr Matey said the association played a key role in efforts to extend the student loan scheme to students of the Ghana School of Law, who he noted had previously been excluded.
“It is important to note that students at the Ghana School of Law were previously excluded from the student loan scheme. Under my leadership, we initiated discussions with the Student Loan Scheme and the Education Ministry to include Professional Law Students. Leveraging on the Student Representative Council (SRC) as a strategic partner, professional law students have successfully been enrolled unto the Student Loan. This year, over 340 students had their fees fully covered through the “No Stress Free Student Loan Scheme” amounting over GH10 million.”
Beyond financial assistance, Mr Matey said LGA had focused on developing the leadership capacities of its members by encouraging and supporting them to take up leadership positions within the student body.
“In addition to financial support, we have focused on enhancing the leadership capabilities of our members. We have actively encouraged and supported them in assuming various leadership roles within the student body. As a result, the current SRC President, SRC Treasurer, Speaker of Congress, and a majority of Congress members are proud members of our association.”
He also highlighted the facilitation of internship and pupillage opportunities for members in various law firms and legal departments, saying these opportunities had helped enhance their practical legal experience.
Mr Matey said LGA had organised several conferences in Accra and Kumasi during his tenure, including its maiden Law Students’ Conference held last Friday.
He said the association intended to establish the conference as an annual event, similar to the Ghana Bar Association’s yearly conference.
“Today LGA is the most attractive and largest association of Law Students,” he said.
He also thanked President John Dramani Mahama for what he described as the numerous opportunities created for lawyers and the youth under his administration.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
