UG’s first female Dean of the School of Law Prof. Akua Kuenyehia honoured 

The first female Professor of Law and the first female Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, Prof. Akua Kuenyehia has been honoured with the Institute of African Women in Law’s (IAWL) Legacy Award. 

This is in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to legal education, women’s rights, the rule of law and international justice. 

At the recently held public adoption of the Gender Equality in Law Model Policy by the UG School of Law, the legal luminary was eulogised by some notable personalities and presented with a citation of honor by the organisers, the IAWL. 

In her acceptance speech, Prof. Kuenyehia thanked the IAWL and the guests who took time off their busy schedule to celebrate her.  

She dedicated the award to her mother, whom she described as her role model. ‘My mother was a teacher, and I grew up seeing her putting my younger brother at her back and teaching in the classroom. 

I remember carrying my two children to teach in school. I am grateful for what she did,’ Prof. Kuenyehia recounted the countless sacrifices her late mum made.  

"One thing I have learned through my career is taking responsibility for the things you want to do. You have to know what you want to do, and you have to take responsibility for it," she advised.  

She further shared her relentless efforts as Dean of the School of Law in building a state-of-the-art School which is currently being used.

"I call this building the house Jesus built because it was just by His grace," Prof. Kuenyehia added. She also thanked her husband and family for helping her juggle work and family life. 

Special Guest of Honour, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo described the honoree as a "mentor who conveyed essential lessons of leadership through mentorship. Her commitment to utilising the Law as a tool for social good rather than for self-serving purposes shaped my appreciation for the value of law to date." 

The Chief Justice recalled her formative years working under Professor Kuenyehia at the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), where she learned the art of client advocacy, legal drafting and strategic case preparation.

But beyond the technicalities of legal practice, it was the Professor’s inclusive leadership style and commitment to empowering others that left an indelible mark. 

On her part, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, also added that ‘Some of us are where we are today because we looked up to bold and audacious women like Prof. Akua Kuenyehia.’ 
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo.

The Founder of IAWL, Prof. Josephine Dawani, acknowledged the honoree’s leadership in advancing legal education. 

"We are here in this building because of Prof. Kuenyehia. Her leadership, her passion and her drive in legal education are admirable. I congratulate a mentor and a trailblazer," Prof. Dawani noted.  

At the event, the Dean of the School of Law, Prof. Raymond Atuguba, stated that "she is the Dean who employed me to the UG School of Law. The remarkable thing about her is she engaged in gender activism with traction and staying power."

He further disclosed that UGSoL is working on a Legal History Museum which will be housed on the 6th floor of the new Law School building, currently under construction. 

"In that museum, we will have not only legal historical documents, but we will also have audio and video recordings of some of the most astute personalities in Law in the country," he said. 

President of the Ghana Bar Association, Mrs. Efua Ghartey also called on Prof. Kuenyehia to publish her memoires which she believes will be a rich and inspiring masterpiece. 

Also present were renowned statesman Mr Sam Okudzeto; former Ambassador of Ghana to France and Lawyer, Ambassador Anna Bossman; former Deputy Attorney General, Diana Asonaba Dapaah; renowned lawyers, judges, high-level personalities, UG officials and law students as well as the family and classmates of Prof. Kuenyehia who also took turns in paying glowing tributes to the legal scholar.  

A video documentary highlighting Prof Akua Kuenyehia’s legal milestones in the law industry was also screened at the ceremony.