The Faculty of Law of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has held its maiden Induction Ceremony for Two Hundred and Forty-Seven (247) newly admitted Bachelor of Law (LL. B) students on Thursday, 24th March, 2022 at the Faculty of Law Auditorium.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Ernest Owusu-Dapaa (ESQ) indicated that after almost two decades of admitting the first batch of students to the faculty, a maiden induction ceremony to officially welcome new students and inculcate in them the pursuit of excellent legal education and profession has been introduced.
Dr. Owusu-Dapaa revealed that the faculty has instituted strategies to ensure the students acquire the best legal education. “It is fundamentally important to make sure that law students are equipped with the right mix of skills and the best foundational education and practical training to flourish, adapt and lead in this dynamic new world,” he said.
He disclosed that after emerging winner of the 2022 Baffour Akoto Memorial Moot Court Competition, amongst other numerous awards, his outfit has submitted a bid to enable KNUST to host the ‘2023 Christof Heyns All Africa Human Rights Moot Competition.’ He entreated the inductees to explore wisely all the facilities and opportunities available to them.
In his remarks, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, and Chairperson for the ceremony noted that ‘it is a delight to see KNUST rising and maintaining the enviable position at the frontline.’ To this end, he added that Management is working assiduously to maintain its position by ensuring that the quality of legal education is upheld by producing well-trained lawmakers. He urged them to comport themselves and aspire to use their skills and legal knowledge to impact society.
Administering the oath, the Supervising High Court Judge, His Lordship, Justice Kofi Akrowia said that lawyers are disciplined, regulated and mannered in society. He further encouraged the inductees to uphold the standards and values of the Bar and the Faculty of Law, KNUST.
Delivering the keynote address, an alumna of the Faculty, Honourable Diana Asonaba Dapaah, the Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister for Justice, recalled her experiences as a former student of the prestigious Faculty where she had learnt key principles and life-skills that has gone a long way to shape her career. ‘Who would have thought that 18years ago when we were sweating to brief the then Mr. Owusu-Dapaa’s cases, one of his students would be giving the keynote speech at an induction ceremony a few years down the line. This soil prepared us well!’ she described.
Hon. Dapaah mentioned that the faculty is founded on some rules and values of respect and dignity that sustained her during the period of study. She shared with the inductees 5 nuggets that would enable them to uphold the values and tenets of the faculty. She advised the students to be open-minded in their quest to be high achievers. “Be prepared to learn, unlearn, and relearn. The world as we now call it, the global world, is ready for women and men who are creative and innovative in all spheres of the profession,” she said.
Hon. Diana Asonaba Dapaah charged the freshmen to take an active interest in serving the Faculty.