The Lebanese Ambassador to Ghana, Maher Kheir, has called on legal professionals and aspiring lawyers to champion the cause of vulnerable groups and serve as the voice of the voiceless in Ghanaian society.

He emphasised that the legal profession must be rooted in justice, human rights, and a deep commitment to upholding democracy.

According to the Ambassador, Ghana’s maturing democracy demands courageous practitioners who speak truth to power, maintain professional integrity, and ensure equality and protection for minority groups.

Ambassador Kheir made these remarks during a ceremony at the Ghana School of Law, where the Lebanese Community awarded scholarships to eight outstanding students for the 2024/25 academic year.

Present at the event were Nina Sackey, Head of the Legal Department at the Ghana School of Law; Matthias Aidoo Asamoah, a representative from the Office of the Chief Accountant; Dr. Georgina Ahorbo, Student Affairs Officer; and a representative of the Lebanese Committee, among others.

The scholarship recipients included Abigail Nakuor Wowolo, Ohenewaa Asantewaa Armoh, Chelsea Coffie, and Jasmine Tekyi-Acheampong from Part 2, as well as Dion Kassim, Emenyo Afi Nutakor, Keren Sackey, and Maame Ekua Otenewa Oduro from Part 1.

In his address, Ambassador Kheir reminded the students that the law is more than memorising legal texts or passing exams.

“Becoming a lawyer is about standing for justice. It’s about using your voice to defend the voiceless. It’s about serving with integrity, even when it’s difficult,” he said.

He encouraged the students to strive for excellence and to use their future careers to make meaningful contributions to society.

“If you continue with the same spirit, you will graduate not only as lawyers but as leaders ready to make a difference,” he noted.

Ambassador Kheir described the Lebanese Community Scholarship Program as a gesture to recognise excellence and to encourage the next generation of leaders in law and society.

“Stay curious, stay determined. Support one another and never forget why you began this journey,” he urged the recipients.

Dr. Georgina Ahorbo, the Student Affairs Officer at the Ghana School of Law, expressed deep appreciation to the Lebanese Community for their consistent financial support, which she said eases the financial burden on students and their families.

“We are very grateful for this sponsorship. It goes a long way to cushion students and allow them to focus on their studies. We don’t take it for granted,” she stated.

She appealed for the expansion of the program to reach more students, particularly those who are brilliant but financially challenged.

“This year, all our beneficiaries are women. That speaks volumes. I urge you not to rest on your laurels but to continue studying hard and make us proud,” Dr. Ahorbo added.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Maame Ekua Otenewa Oduro expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ambassador and the Lebanese Community for their generosity and pledged that the students would live up to the expectations placed on them.

The Lebanese Scholarship Program, now in its 12th year, has supported about 600 Ghanaian students in law and media studies.

Institutions covered include the Ghana Institute of Journalism (now UniMAC), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Ghana.

In 2020, Ambassador Kheir expanded the scheme to include students from the School of Languages and the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana.

More recently, the program has grown to support students studying Public Relations, Translation, and Film and Television at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC).