Lebanese Ambassador Maher Kheir has challenged legal practitioners to advocate for vulnerable groups in society, fight for justice, and make an impact on the world.

In a world faced with adversity and chaos, Ambassador Kheir noted that legal practitioners, particularly law students, should imbibe its principles to create equality and solve problems.

He made these remarks when the Lebanese Community in Ghana awarded scholarships to eight final-year students at the Ghana School of Law, Makola, for the 2023/24 academic year.

The eight beneficiaries include Julius Boateng, Eugenia Ewusi Mensah, Gbedey Davina Seyram, Martin Waana-Ang, Accorley Ann Esinam, Agborly Divine Selase, Maame Akua Anima Ofori Atta, and Michael Kwame Asabre.

This year’s event was held at the premises of the Lebanese Embassy, where Ambassador Maher Kheir received the delegation from the Ghana School of Law.

The ceremony was attended by the Lebanese Ambassador Maher Kheir, the Head of the Legal Department at the Ghana School of Law, Nina Sackey; a representative from the Office of the Chief Accountant, Matthias Aidoo Asamoah; Student Affairs Officer, Dr Georgina Ahorbo, representative of the Lebanese committee, among others.

In his address, the Lebanese Ambassador Maher Kheir urged the students to uphold virtues that will make them successful lawyers.

“Dear students, as you move forward in your academic and professional careers, remember the importance of integrity, empathy, and resilience,” he said.

He urged the beneficiaries to stand up to challenges within their jurisdiction to shape their character.

“The path of law is not always easy, and you will face challenges that test your resolve. However, it is in these moments that your character will shine the brightest,” he said.

He also challenged the beneficiaries to advocate for the vulnerable in society and fight for the cause of the weak.

“Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves, to fight for justice in the face of adversity, and to make a positive impact on the world around you,” he noted.

Student Affairs Officer at the Ghana School of Law, Dr. Georgina Ahorbo, lauded the Ambassador and the Lebanese Community for their gesture, especially their consistency in sponsoring students from the institution.

“This is not the first time you’re awarding our students scholarships. You have been consistent. The promise is that we will not let you down,” she noted.

The scholarship, she noted, will cushion the students and their families while giving them the space to adequately concentrate on their studies.

She was hopeful that the beneficiaries would make good use of the award and excel academically.

“The students will make you proud. I am optimistic that the relationship between the Embassy and the Ghana School of Law will continue to grow,” she added.

She emphasized that the school is doing its best to promote quality legal education in Ghana and therefore appealed to the Government, corporate institutions, and individuals to do the same.

One of the beneficiaries, Maame Akua Anima Ofori Atta, thanked the Ambassador and the Community for the generous gesture and promised that the students would honour the confidence reposed in them.

“We are grateful for this scholarship and promise to make you proud. We hope that our successors will maintain the standards to keep the scholarship going,” she said.

Since 2013, the Lebanese scholarship program has benefited more than 500 Ghanaian students in media and law disciplines, covering the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Ghana.

However, in 2020, the Lebanese Community expanded the scheme to include students at the School of Languages and the School of Performing Arts, both at the University of Ghana.

Earlier this year, the Community celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the scholarship with a seed capital of GHC100,000 being presented for the Lebanese Alumni Network (LESAN) to undertake projects.

Also, students in Film and Television, Public Relations, and Translation faculties at the University of Media, Arts and Communications have been added to the scheme.