Two priests from the Diocese of Buea, Rev. Fr. Stephen Berynyuy and Rev. Fr. Emile Tanka, have been sworn into the Gambian Bar Association.
They were sworn in Monday November 11, 2024, after completing their training at the Gambia Law School.
The two priests were sworn into the Bar alongside 79 others in a ceremony held at the Banjul High Court, chaired by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow.
Justice Dawda revealed that out of the 93 candidates who sat for bar exams, only 82 were qualified for graduation.
He said revealed not just the graduates’ hard work and perseverance but also showed a growing strength and resilience in the legal community.
“It is inspiring to see so many of you from diverse backgrounds, united by a shared commitment to the ideals of justice and the rule of law,” the justice minister acknowledged.
Rev. Fr. Stephen Berynyuy and Rev. Fr. Emile Tanka are expected to handle the legal arm of the diocese, a diocese that has been susceptible to lots of legal challenges.
“As lawyers, we are called to defend the rights of the people, provide legal counsel, and serve as the guardians of justice. This is a role that comes with great responsibility. We have been entrusted not only with the power of the law but also with the trust of the people. And that trust must never be taken for granted. It must be earned through every action, decision, and case we undertake,” Fr Emile Tanka affirmed.
Coming to a field that has way too many negative perceptions from the society, the prelates say they are coming to add value to the corps.
“We are coming to add more value to the legal profession. We shall work hard with our personal values to deconstruct some of those stereotypes that the society has about the legal field,” Fr. Stephen Berynyuy corroborated.
The swearing of these priests into the bar further explains the policy of the Bishop of Buea, Mgr. Michael Bibi, in equipping his priests with the necessary skills to keep the diocese afloat in evangelisation and growth of humanity.
