The Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL), in partnership with the Ghana Bar Association Women’s Forum and the University of Ghana School of Law, convened a workshop for law students with the theme Breaking Barriers: Law Students Championing Equality in Law, on 3rd July 2024 at the University of Ghana School of Law. This workshop constituted one of several initiatives undertaken by IAWL as part of its Gender Equality in Law Campaign (GELC).
In his welcome address, Prof. Raymond A. Atuguba, Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, shared that upon becoming Dean, he canceled the plus-two policy at the Faculty of Law, which had previously resulted in an 89% female student population. Following its cancellation, the female student population now ranges between 60% and 70%, demonstrating that women could excel without this concession.
Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu, Vice-President of the Ghana Bar Association Women’s Forum (GBAWF), delivered a solidarity message congratulating IAWL and GBAWF for organizing the event. She highlighted the persistence of gender inequality, noting that it begins in the home where girls are assigned menial tasks, continues in the classroom where girls clean while boys lead, and extends into the community where boys are encouraged to pursue higher education while girls are not.
The workshop was attended by students and faculty members from law schools and faculties in Ghana, including the University of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, University of Professional Studies Accra, Central University, and Mountcrest University.
One of the event’s highlights was the panel discussion moderated by Maame Yaa Akyiaa Mensa-Bonsu, Lecturer, University of Ghana, School of Law. The panelists were Frederick Abu-Bonsrah, Head of Legal, Farmerline Group/Legal Counsel, Kwame AI, Pauline Anaman, Associate, AB & David Africa, Hannah Agbozo, General Counsel, Tullow Ghana and Reginald Nii Odoi, Assistant State Attorney, Attorney General's Department.
The panel enlightened students on finding mentors and being good mentees, leveraging social media to widen networks, finding internships, exploring legal career options, preparing for each path, and building a Curriculum Vitae (CV). Pauline Anaman, encouraged law students to approach their education with seriousness and develop an analytical and agile mindset to solve problems in a dynamic professional environment. She added that seeking mentorship was crucial, as mentors provide valuable experience, exposure, and multidisciplinary knowledge essential for a successful legal career. Reginald Odoi urged law students to attend conferences and events, utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn, connect with alumni to build a strong professional network, approach internships with a primary focus on skill development, and be prepared to pitch themselves with a concise personal narrative.
Furthermore, Frederick Abu-Bonsra advised law students to use LinkedIn with intention by understanding its purpose, curating their profiles, engaging with relevant individuals, and balancing their online presence by knowing when to use the platform and when to log out. Hannah Agbozo emphasized that law students should remain flexible, scan their environment for emerging opportunities, and approach their careers with a multidisciplinary mindset. Similarly, Maame Yaa Akyiaa Mensa-Bonsu, added that students should solidify their understanding of the fundamentals and foundational principles of law, as these are of utmost importance.
The panel also elaborated on two of the four pillars of the GEL campaign: sexual harassment and gender bias and stereotypes. The panel emphasized that understanding sexual harassment required recognizing its various forms and impacts, highlighting that it transcended all types of relationships. Participants were advised to be self-aware, mindful of others' reactions, and to address and report sexual harassment incidents immediately. On the topic of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) perpetuates gender bias and stereotypes, participants were urged to provide feedback during interactions with AI to prevent the normalization and entrenchment of errors and biases.
The interactive Q&A session that followed allowed students to engage directly with the panelists, fostering a lively and enriching dialogue. See more photos from the event by clicking on the image below.
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