THE ACCRA DIARY
- J. Jarpa Dawuni, Ph.D.
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Awareness. Advocacy. Activation.
On July 5, 2024, the Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL) launched the ambitious and carefully curated Gender Equality in Law Campaign (GELC) at the Movenpick Hotel in Accra. The campaign is guided by the Triple A’s:
Awareness and Advocacy
From left to right, Professor Meg Satterthwaite, the audience at the GELC launch in Accra, Ghana, Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo
Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo and Professor Meg Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, were among the keynote speakers in Accra. In a room filled with over 200 lawyers, judges, academics, students, and other guests, GELC got off to a great start. We had achieved two of the three goals: Awareness and Advocacy.
From left to right, the audience at the GELC stakeholder engagement at the African Union OLC, group photo of attendees, Professor J. Jarpa Dawuni, Professor Hajer Gueldich
The GELC plane then flew to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where, on October 15, 2024, the Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union, led by Professor Hajer Gueldich, publicly endorsed the GEL Campaign and Model Policy. The event was attended by former Chief Justice Meaza Ashenafi, members of the legal and judicial professions, the Diplomatic Corps, students, and civil society organizers, marking our achievement of two of the three goals—Awareness and Advocacy.
Activation
Between July 2024 and March 2025, over 70 law firms, organizations, judiciaries, universities, women’s groups, and international bodies joined the GELC Alliance. The campaign was expanding. Then came the significant moment—the public activation by law firms and educational institutions in Accra, Ghana.
On March 3, 2025, the University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL), the first law faculty established in Ghana in 1958 and the first in the West Africa Region, formally adopted the GEL Model Policy. As the first public educational institution to do so, UGSoL once again set an example of leadership. The event was attended by Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, Vice Chancellor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo (from the University of Ghana), and several legal and judicial leaders, including the President and Vice President. Additionally, the occasion honored the work and legacy of a legal luminary—Professor Akua Kuenyehia, the first female dean of the University of Ghana School of Law.
Commenting on the policy adoption, the Dean of UGSoL, Professor Raymond A. Atuguba, emphasized:
Let us remember that policies and plans alone do not create change. People do. The responsibility to uphold these principles and implement these plans fall on all of us. May this gathering be the catalyst for this as we make history together.
Building on the successful adoption by UGSoL, from March 5 to 10, 2025, five leading law firms in Ghana publicly embraced the GEL Model Policy, marking another significant milestone in the campaign. These firms exemplify leadership that values gender diversity and recognizes women’s contributions to the legal profession; they have paved the way for others to follow. These adoptions represent yet another important milestone in the campaign–Activation.
From left to right, B&P Associates, ENS Africa, Ghana, N. Dowuona & Company, AB & Africa, Sam Okudzeto & Associates
Leadership is about setting a good example for others to follow. Organizations that demonstrate commitment to gender equality are true leaders.
J. Jarpa Dawuni, Ph.D.
Drying the ink
Between the preparations for these events and the actual work needed to execute them successfully, the Accra diary illustrates that passion alone is not enough to achieve goals. While dedication to a passion provides the fuel necessary to keep moving forward, achieving team excellence is essential to cross the finish line. I credit the success of the Accra Activations to the incredible IAWL Wakanda Team and Board Members. I thank all the partners who contributed to our success—those who attended the event at UGSoL, the law firms that welcomed us with open arms, the vendors who provided services, and most importantly, all the fantastic UGSoL student volunteers—Medaasë! Nagoode! Naatuma pam! Akpè!!! Thank you!
Until next time………….
Join the GELC Alliance and Adopt the GEL Model Policy