Kumasi, Dec 25, GNA - Dr Akuamoah Boateng Kwadwo Anane, immediate past President of the Ashanti regional branch of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) was at the weekend presented with the Anthony K. Mmieh Award for his dedicated service to the association at a ceremony in Kumasi.

The award, together with the Thomas A. Totoe Award, was instituted last year to honour and also recognise the good works of legal practitioners who distinguish themselves in their field of endeavour whiles advancing the noble cause of the legal profession in Ashanti.

Dr Anane, who is a Board Member of the Ghana News Agency (GNA), was presented with a shield and a citation, which read in part, "In 2002 you were elected as the President of the regional branch of the GBA, a position you held with distinction for three years.

"Your dedicated services have been recognised as you have always been ready to offer advice to executives of the association whenever you are consulted. We commend you for being supportive of the activities of the association in recent time and even at a time when you did not hold any formal position".

Receiving the award, Dr Anane lauded the association for the honour done him and gave the assurance that he would continue to contribute his quota to boosting the effective practice of the law, whiles advancing the noble cause of the legal profession in the region. Mr Kwabena Asumadu-Sakyi, who was also presented with the Totoe Award for his contribution towards the advancement of the legal profession, thanked the executive of the association for exploring avenues to honour deserving members of the association.

A citation accompanying a shield awarded him read in part, "You were the chairman for the Juvenile Court for almost 20 years of which you discharged your duties creditably. Your phenomenal contribution to enhancing the judicial system is most appreciated and it is our hope that you would continue with your good work".

In a speech, Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister, commended the award winners for being the second batch of recipients of the awards and hoped that would spur them on to strive for greater feats.

He expressed gratitude to government for the building of a Court of Appeal in Kumasi, noting that the project when completed would go a long way in improving upon the judicial system in the country.

The Regional Minister announced that plans were far advanced in his deliberation with the Department of Urban Roads on efforts to tar roads at the High Court premises so as to give the place a facelift. Mr Anthony Osei-Poku, Regional President of the GBA, cautioned members of the association to always adhere to the code of ethics of the legal profession in the discharge of their duties for the sustenance of the good image of the profession.