COLLECTION OF EssAYs RECUEIL D' ARTICLES - Naciones Unidas

Unity;
(iii) The Commonwealth;
(iv) The Treaty of the
Economic Community of
West African States; and
(v) Any other international
organization of which Ghana is a
member."
Article 40 is among "The Directive Principles of State Policy"
;ontained in Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Article 73, which appears in Chapter Eight ("The Executive")
inder the heading "International Relations", provides as follows:
"The Government of Ghana shall conduct its
international affairs in consonance with the accepted
principles of public international law and diplomacy
in a manner consistent with the national interest of
Ghana."
It is evident from these two articles that there is a need at all
times to have an international legal specialist to advise the Government
in the conduct of its international relations and in the formulation of the
country's foreign policy. This is the role of the legal adviser. The legal
adviser has the role of ensuring that the political decisions taken by
Ghana in the conduct of its international relations conform to accepted
principles of public international law and to the country's treaty
obligations.
This is a heavy responsibility, as well as a great privilege. It
means that the legal adviser is the custodian and exponent of
international law for the Government. The legal adviser must discharge
these duties responsibly and with integrity; for the result of what the
legal adviser does or says may alter, speed up or delay the course of
legal evolution. It is noteworthy in this regard that Ghana's Constitution
makes it an obligation for the legal adviser to encourage the promotion
of and respect for international law.
The influence which the legal adviser has in shaping political