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A. MEMORANDUM FOR THE GUIDANCE OF STUDENT JOURNALISTS

THE LAW OF GHANA

The Civil Law of Libel

Everyone concerned with a publication runs the risk of being sued and made to pay damages if the publication libels anyone. Material published is libellous for example, if it suggests that the person has committed a crime, or is dishonest, or immoral, or not to be trusted, or has mis-conducted himself in his office. It does not have to refer to the person by name; it is sufficient if ordinary people would understand what is published as referring to the person who brings the action.

The liability is not confined to the author of the libellous article or picture; everyone on the editorial committee would also be liable, and even those who take part in typing or distributing the publication may be liable as well. So if you take any part in a publication, it is wise to realize that you are leally responsible for what is included in it, and normally it makes no difference whether you troubled to read the copy or not.

You have a complete defence if what is published is true, so long as you can actually prove this in court. But this may be difficult so the safe rule is to be very careful before you publish an attack on a person's character.

You also have a defence (called “fair comment”), which allows you to comment upon matters of general public concern, and express opinion and voice criticism upon such matters. To come within this defence, you must confine your opinion to matters which are of concern and interest to the public generally (though, normally, a persons private character is not of public interest). You must also avoid making false factual statements: the law allows you to express your opinions, but not to tell untruths. But there is nothing against your expressing your opinions on matters of public concern in vigorous way, though if you express them in an indecent way then you must expect a court to doubt your good faith.

The Criminal Law of Libel

If you carelessly publish a libel, you can be fined, and if you do so deliberately you can be imprisoned too. The details of the law are set out in the Criminal Code; the rules are broadly the same as the rules of the Civil Law, with one important difference-truth is only a defence “if it was for the public benefit that the matter should be published”. Consequently, even a true statement about, for example, another students' private life might be criminal even though the student himself could not sue for damages.

The Criminal Law of Obscenity

You can be fined or imprisoned if you publish obscene material whether it takes the form of writing or pictures. Common sense is the best guide as to what the court is likely to regard as “obscene”.

Comment on Judicial Proceedings
It is possible to commit offences by commenting upon legal proceedings; it is prudent to seek advice before doing so.

B. PHARMACY AND DRUGS ACT, 1961(Act 64)

Part II-NARCOTIC DRUGS
1. Indian hemp

2. Coca leaves, cocaine (including synthetic cocaine) and ecgonine and their respective salts, the esters of ecgonine and their respective salts, any solution or dilution of cocaine of its salts in an inert substance (whether liquid or solid) containing any proportion of cocaine, and any preparation (not being such a solution or dilution as aforesaid) containing not less than one-tenth per cent of cocaine or any proportion of ecgonine.

3. Any product obtained from any of the ecgonine alkaloids of the coca leaf, not being a product which, on the 13 July, 1931, was being used for medical or scientific purposes.

4. Raw opium, medicinal opium and opium prepared for smoking.

5. Any product obtained from any of the 0phenanthrene alkaloids of opium, not being a product which, on the 13th July 1931, was being used for medical or scientific purposes.

6. Morphine and its salts, and solution or dilution of morphine or its salts in an inert substance whether liquid or solid containing any proportion of morphine, and any preparation, admixture, extract or other substance (not being such a solution or dilution as aforesaid) containing not less than one-fifth of one per cent of morphine.

INTERPRETATION OF THIS PART

In this part of this Schedule-
“Coca leaves” means the leaves of any plant of the genus of the erythroxylaceae from which cocaine can be extracted either directly or by chemical transformation; “ecgonine” means leavoecgonine and includes any derivatives of ecgonine from which it my be recovered industrially; “medicinal opium” means raw opium which has undergone the processes necessary to adapt it for medicinal use in accordance with the requirements of the authorized pharmacopoeia, whether it is in the form of powder or is granulated or is in any other form, and whether or not it is mixed with neutral substances; “raw opium” includes powdered or granulated opium, but does not include medicinal opium, and for the purposes of this Part of this Schedule, percentages, in the case of morphine, shall be calculated as in respect of anhydrous morphine and, in the case of liquid preparations, shall unless regulations otherwise prescribe, be calculated on the basis that a preparation containing one per cent of a substance means a preparation in which one gram of the substance, if a solid, or one milliliter of the substance, if a liquid, is contained in every one hundred milliliters of the preparation, and so in proportion for any greater or less percentage.

FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ON NARCOTICS

7. (Possession of narcotics. Amended by Act 222/c/.)
No person shall have in his possession without lawful excuse, proof of which shall be on him, any opium or Indian hemp of any species or description whatsoever or any residue from the smoking thereof.

8. (Smoking of opium or Indian hemp.)
No person shall-

(a) smoke opium or Indian hemp or frequent any place used for the smoking thereof; or.

(b) permit premises owned or occupied by him to be used by persons smoking opium or Indian hemp;

(c) have in his possession pipes or other utensils for use in connection with the smoking of opium or Indian hemp.

STUDENT WELFARE

Brief description of arrangements for Students Guidance and Counseling.

PILEMA, utilizing relevant, qualified local and expatriate staff, will offer counseling as well as a career and placement service to all its students. The Counseling centre will maintain an informal and independent environment in which students can freely seek information and professional help on various concerns. The counseling will be confidential and will be provided only on the request of, or with the concurrence of the person involved. Group counseling will be provided on specific concerns frequently expressed by students. Preventive counseling lectures and seminars will be organized at various times of the year on topics intended to stimulate positive and healthy development and discourage habits which tend to create problems for students. The centre will also offer a basic careers and placement services for students and alumni. Under this program,

1. Students will be assisted with self-assessment career choice and self penetration, including the writing of applications and resumes and performance at interviews

2. Colloquia between students and representatives of major employing organizations will be held regularly at which students will learn about the functions and operations of major establishments in the country, the range of jobs available to graduates of PILEMA and the corresponding qualification and personal attributes required

3. Students and alumni will be assisted to get placement on jobs through introductory letters, direct canvassing by the School, liaison with employers for campus interviews, etc. Students will benefit from cross-cultural experiences based on inputs from expatriate faculty.

REGULAR TEACHING HOURS

Teaching begins from 7.30 a.m. each day terminating at 8.30 p.m.

PHYSICAL FACILITIES (common to the whole institution)

Central Library

There is a library facility stocked with relevant text books and journals for use by both students and faculty. Additionally a list of relevant books has been deposited with the Ghana Book Trust to facilitate the acquisition of these books for sale to students at affordable prices. Photocopying facilities are available for the duplication of relevant book extracts for learning purposes.

Teaching Facilities

PILEMA has a number of classrooms located in the premises in addition to a computer lab, for both teaching and learning purposes.

Student Accommodation.

PILEMA is a non-residential facility; but has a standing arrangement with hostel facilities in the neighbourhood for rentals by students who may so desire. Located on the premise itself are student common rooms.

Facilities for Sports and Recreation

Because of its proximity to the Accra Academy campus, agreement is being sought with the Academy authorities for access to be granted to PILEMA's students for sports and other recreational facilities.

Health facilities

First Aid facilities are available on PILEMA campus; additionally linkage will be established with the nearby Holy Cross Clinic for the provision of medical service.

Catering Facilities

Arrangements have been made for a school snacks and canteen facility to be operated by a private investor on the school premises.

0n-Line Library

PILEMA runs an update library with several books on various pertinent and relative subjects. Opportunities for on line research will be available. PILEMA is the only University College in Ghana that creates your e-mail address on admission.

Forensic Laboratory

PILEMA is in the process of establishing its own Forensic Laboratory at its own new site. Prof. J.J. Fletcher, a former Deputy Executive Secretary of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) is planning and coordinating the facilities that should exist in the forensic Laboratory at PILEMA to match up with modern standard laboratories in the world. Hopefully this will be in operation when the first admission of students in Scientific Evidence production in the M.Phil starts.