Mr Martin Amidu, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Monday underscored the need for Commonwealth Countries to have well-drafted laws that underpin development in both public and private sectors. He said well-drafted laws were not only essential for the maintenance of law and order and ensure good governance, but also required to facilitate the successful implementation of government legislative programme. Mr Amidu was speaking at the opening of the Commonwealth Legislative Drafting Course for African member states in Accra. The course, which is jointly being sponsored by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Ghana’s Ministry of Justice, is the sixth to be hosted by the country. The programme, which has attracted participants from Nigeria, Lesotho, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Gambia, Botswana and Ghana, is to address the scarcity of legislative drafters in Commonwealth Africa through formal training by developing their competences in legislative drafting for the purpose of improving their performance, efficiency and effectiveness. He said well-drafted laws also regulated the order and behaviour of people and also ensured the protection of the rights of citizens. Mr Amidu said despite the numerous training programmes organized for most Commonwealth countries, there was still acute shortage of experienced drafters in the drafting offices of these countries because of the difficulties in the retention and recruitment of drafters. He said poorly drafted laws would not give effect to the political will of the electorate as required in modern democracies, citing for example that poorly drafted laws would often provide opportunity for the avoidance of tax. He said legislative drafting was an exacting vocation, which demanded a high degree of intellectual ability, a sound knowledge of the law, skill and expertise to transform policy into legislation. “I can foresee the days ahead being tough and challenging for the course participants, but I believe that they will provide a good preparation for the tough and difficult task of being a drafter” he added. Mr Jarvis Matiya, Head of Justice, Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat whose speech was read by Mrs Marvis Amoah, Head of the Drafting Division of the Ministry of Justice re-emphasized the pertinent role that legislative drafters play to ensure good governance. He said the promotion of legislation was a vital function of government and a necessary ingredient for development. He explained that a good legislation was critical to implement policies for the protection and promotion of the rights and interest of people to raise taxes, authorize spending and regulate the relations between people and the state. Mr George A. Sarpong, Director of Ghana School of Law and Course Coordinator, announced that Commonwealth Secretariat had formally requested that the drafting course should be institutionalized as one of the programmes of the School. He said the management and staff of the School were also proud of the recognition and support for the programme under Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, the Statue Law Review Commissioner for his immense contribution to the course. He urged the various participants to make maximum use of the opportunities provided them to ensure a successful course at the end of the programme. Source: GNA