“YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO LEAD SELFLESSLY” …………… Associate Justice Yuoh Urges LAWSA New Leadership

By: Jerromie S. Walters

Capitol Hill, Liberia: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Her Honor, Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, has urged the newly inducted leadership of the Law Students Association (LAWSA) of the University of Liberia, to demonstrate selfless leadership in order to ensure the promotion of effective governance.

The Associate Justice made the disclosure over the weekend, while proxying for the Chief Justice, His Honor Francis Korkpor at the induction ceremony of the Law Students Association of the University of Liberia, at the Auditorium of the University of Liberia up Capitol Hill, Liberia.

Those inducted were Mrs. Williamina Gbardee Busy as President and Robert Henry Johnson II, Vice President respectively.

Associate Justice Youh encouraged the inducted officials to considered that they are obligated to lead selflessly, noting that they are servants and not the masters of the Law School community.

Her Honor Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh in the capacity as proxy Speaker, elaborated on the topic “Promoting effective governance through the rule of law”.

She said if good governance is to be ensured, private Law schools and environment that cultivate innovation, and academic; professors are to be effective in presenting the course (s) allotted to them and grade on merit rather then sentiment.

“The promotion of effective governance also means that Students must brief their cases, read their textbooks, or materials, do their exams independently, and repeat their course (s) with pride and dignity if they fail the exam, rather then chasing professors for grades just to take a safe space”, she added.

The Associate Justice said while institutions and agencies of government are essential elements in the promotion of effective governance, the real change the public seeks heavily lies in everyone adhering to the rule of law, and the reformation of the mentality of Liberians.

She believes promoting effective governance transit from the three branches of government, and it encompasses the collective efforts of everyone, as such; the new leadership of LAWSA should ensure proactive efforts in delivering the deliverables for the good and benefit of the Association (LAWSA).

At the same time, she encouraged the leadership to exhibit acts of discipline, as the role of leadership requires discipline and strong well, adding that leadership is reserved for those that are prepared to make a difference.

The Associate Justice also highlighted the need for a cordial working relationship within the Association, stating that the nuclear of effective governance through the rule of law is the separation of powers.

She congratulated the newly inducted officers, and urged that the call to governance is a delicate duty that requires the sacrifice of self, stressing that there’s no room for sympathy if they fail to perform as expected

Expanding to national perspective, Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh
said that while the executive and legislative branch promote efficient and effective governance through the rule of law, the judiciary is also a keen player in the promotion of good governance through the rule of law.

She believes in the absence of an independent and vibrant judiciary, the rule of law and effective governance will remain a dream.

“in my many years of the practice of law including my service as associate justice of the supreme court of Liberia, one thing remain undisputable, that is in the absence of an independent and vibrant judiciary, the rule of law and effective governance are fleeting elusion always in the ramp of hope, but never a reality”, Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh propounded.

The establishment of the Law Students Association of Liberia (LAWSA) dates far back to the early 70s, when students of the University of Liberia saw the significance of a student governing body, through which major decisions could be made for their betterment.

The genesis of LAWSA was enraged with challenges to conduct regular elections, ranging from internal, to the civil war.