Accra, June 8, GNA- Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama at the weekend hailed the revised edition of the Laws of Ghana 2004, as reader friendly book that will appeal to a wide variety of people from different backgrounds.

"This is the strength of the laws of Ghana, which is a complete compilation of all the laws currently in operation from 1852 to 2004," he said.

Vice President Mahama, made the commendation at a roundtable organised by the Readwide/ HFC Bank, in collaboration with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on the Laws of Ghana for Chief Directors of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Accra. He said at the root of democracy was the rule of law, which is built upon a system of laws "that should be known to everyone, that are accessible to all, that are predictable in their purpose and impact and before which everyone is equal".

"In order that these noble attributes of democracy and the rule of law may be attained, it is important that the laws are not hidden in obscure places, but are put together in a form that even laymen can use."

Vice President Mahama extolled the compilers of the Laws, facilitated mainly by 82-year -old Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe. "Their work stands as a monument to their intelligence, diligence and dedication to duty. Thus the Laws of Ghana must be seen as a jubilee gift to the nation."

Mr. Kwame Osei-Prempeh, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice asked all MDAs to purchase the book being sold at the cost of 12.5 million cedis (1,200 Ghana cedi), which he described as comprehensive and easy to use. He said it was wrong that after 50 years of independence Ghana was still using Gold Coast laws.

Brigadier Francis Agyemfra, (RTD) Senior Fellow of the IEA, noted that the revised Laws of Ghana will ensure the effectiveness of the Rule of Law.

Mr Charles Martinson, General Manager of HFC Bank, said legal reforms and the growth of the economy were closely related. He said the Credit Reporting Bill, which had been given presidential assent would promote public borrowing and lending. Mr B.J. da Rocha, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Readwide, who chaired the function praised the efforts of Mr. Crabbe, Chairman of the Statute Law Revision Commission, for helping to rid Ghana of completely obsolete laws.