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On the 3rd of March 2025, I sat in the back row of the University of Ghana School of Law’s Auditorium, an important but not particularly vital invitee to the Public Adoption of the Gender in Law Policy passed by the The Institute for African Women in Law. As a first year Law student, I couldn’t help but be confused as to why this event so badly needed my attention, that my lecture had been suspended for it. At that moment, myself along with my just as naive coursemates were not aware we were witnessing a piece of history which could redefine our futures in the legal profession and spaces beyond this scope. There was a buzz in the air, from my otherwise poised lecturers and, one could say this is the main reason for which I was intrigued by the event.
History and Background of the Gender in Law Policy
The Institute for African Women in Law is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women in the legal profession in Africa and the African Diaspora. The Institute launched the Gender Equality in Law Campaign on 5th July, 2024. This Campaign set out with four major pillars of its vision; promoting equitable hiring of women in the legal profession, bringing awareness to and tackling sexual harassment in the work place, bridging the pay gap between men and women in law and finally fighting against harmful gender-based stereotypes. Through this Campaign, the Institute carefully developed the Gender in Law Policy.
The Policy Adoption
A glance at the Gender in Law policy reveals a detailed expansion of the Institute’s vision, expounded in unambiguous language and suggestive of practical measures companies, institutions and organisations may integrate into their administration and various sub-sections. An eye-opening example of this would be that for their Equitable Hiring goal, the Institute suggests that promotion criteria should be more inclusive based on age, disability, giving room to women from different walks of life to have the ability to shine without being barred by ignorance of their peculiar identities and contributions by organisations.
Graciously moderated by Ms. Maame Yaa Mensa Bonsu, publicised under the general theme, “Unlocking Gender Equality in Law”, participants were privileged to hear from speakers in the embodiment of legal scholars, professionals and policymakers. The main presentations of the programme were centered on the challenges and opportunities for women in law, each speaker laying emphasis on the need for institutional reforms to promote gender equality. Panelists addressed gender biases in legal practice, the judiciary, and academia, advocating for policies to ensure equal representation. They also focused on the need for female representation in leadership and structured mentorship programs for young women in law.
Following an introduction of the Gender in Law policy, it was officially adopted into the School of Law by Professor Christine Dowuona-Hammond, renowned author of the authoritative “The Law of Contract in Ghana” and the active Dean of the School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, who signed the policy agreement. With this, the University of Ghana Law Faculty pledged to not only carry out the Institute’s vision, but it took the first steps in reforming the professional space of the Faculty to give equal room to women to flourish.
The Honoree: Professor Akua Kuenyehia
Research has led us to the titles the Professor has carried over the years, few of which are; being the first woman acting as Dean of the Faculty of Law in the University of Ghana, a short run as Director of Legal Education of Ghana’s General Legal Council and the School of Law, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana and the first African Judge and Vice President serving in the International Criminal Court. We watched in awe as the programme progressed from a formal adoption to the inspiring moments where Akua Kuenyehia was presented the Legacy Award.
The Award itself is derived from an earlier Legacy Project of the Institute aimed at retracing its history and progress and the key women who pioneered their aims and were central to where they are today. The Award specifically recognised her contribution to women’s rights, international justice and the advancement of the rule of law. Looking at the Akua Kuenyehia Foundation, which offers scholarships to girls who are junior and high school graduates looking to further their education by lacking the means, there is no question of why she would receive such an award.
We watched in awe as respected and influential women in law today stood behind the podium and so humbly poured out their love and appreciation for Professor Kuenyehia, engaging us in moments of their lives where she had impacted them or directly contributed to their current positions. A notable anecdote surrounded how after giving birth to her daughter, Professor Kuenyehia would bring her to lectures, teaching whilst her little one watched on quietly; it would be that she embodied the idea that women can have it all, family and a strong career. The speakers revealed as well how she fought for the modern and beautiful building in which we were sitting.
I distinctly remember how humbled I was upon seeing the Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, both distinguished in their own right, lovingly refer to the honouree as “Auntie Akua”, with Her Ladyship delivering an insightful and grateful speech emphasising how much Professor Kuenyehia was the one to pave the way for many women in law after her. The Vice Chancellor expanded on the nature of the University’s role in fostering gender equality in legal education. There also included a video tribute from retired American Circuit Judge and former colleague of the honouree in the International Criminal Court, Ann Claire Williams, who referred to the Legacy Award as an “extraordinary award” of which the honouree deserved because she is “certainly extraordinary”.
The honouree herself finally spoke, with us watching in a mix of awe and amusement at this woman who had inspired so much change and was able to condescend to make a few jokes about her age, not forgetting to thank her husband for his unfailing support. Poignant words of advice from Professor Kuenyehia were to keep fighting and never give up, she recounted how sums she had acquired for the current Law Faculty building were usurped from her and she quickly ensured that succeeding contributions landed directly in her lap. The Professor recognised how her reliance on God and faith in Him was central in motivating her to overcome obstacles, later admitting that she was deeply touched by the words spoken and was so moved, she had little to say besides thank you. Her response as a whole was a glimpse into the “Auntie Akua” hidden behind the intimidating but well-earned titles and achievements.
It was at the end of this speech that I realised that I was myself honoured and humbly so to have watched this event unfold. It was an amalgamation of progress for women in law across Africa and a beautiful acknowledgment of an honouree all too deserving of it. Though unable to mask the fresh-faced inexperience of the first year students, the mandated black and white professional attire served to allow them feel that they were an active part of this change in the legal sector. Later conversations would reveal that many coursemates were inspired by the life of Professor Kuenyehia and the event had sparked an interest in Gender in Law. One wouldn’t be surprised to see some decades down the line, hundreds of female graduates from the School of Law tracing the roots of their success back to the honouree.
The title of this article asserts that we all become the Professor Kuenyehia of our generation because her life tells of a trailblazer and a way maker, a woman with a vision sped on only by the will to see it come to life. This is a character we can all embody regardless of our field of study, profession or position in life.
Written and Edited by: Lil Paula-Danielle Nterful, Gilbert Awuah-Ameyaw (UGSOL ’28)
