The Faculty of Law at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has inducted a new cohort of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) students at its fifth LLB Induction and Awards Ceremony for the 2025/2026 academic year, urging them to pursue excellence with integrity.
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Asamoah, congratulated the newly admitted students and called on them to uphold integrity, ethical conduct and intellectual curiosity. He reaffirmed the university’s mission of advancing knowledge in science and technology through relevant research and professional training.
“To our new students, learn to embrace the rigours of legal education with courage and determination,” he said. “The university remains firmly committed to its mission of advancing knowledge of science and technology through relevant research, quality teaching, entrepreneurship training and community engagement aimed at improving the quality of life.”
The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Chris Adomako-Kwakye, reflected on the faculty’s evolution since its establishment and outlined its academic expansion over the years.
“Over the years, the Faculty of Law has established itself as one of the leading law faculties in Africa with a focus on science and technology,” he said. “It is for this reason that our faculty decided to create a supportive environment for legal education and collaborative research to address current legal issues, particularly in science and technology.”
Professor Adomako-Kwakye praised the performance of students and alumni, highlighting the faculty’s achievements at national and international levels, and urged students to uphold the induction oath.
“Our students and alumni have consistently made us proud through their academic achievements and professional work; compared to students and professionals from other law faculties, they stand out and shine brightly,” he said. “Be committed to serving the law with intellectual honesty and practise it ethically because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”
Her Ladyship Justice Mrs. Hannah Taylor, a Supervising High Court Judge, administered the induction oath.
The keynote speaker, Mr. Augustine Beliksuun Kidisil Esq., recounted his journey from a KNUST law student to Managing Partner of a leading West African law firm.
“The journey from that first day of orientation to this moment was not a straight line,” he said. “But the fact that I stand before you today proves that no matter the challenges, you can overcome them.”
He encouraged students not to succumb to inferiority complexes and urged them to master the fundamentals of law, develop strong writing skills and avoid shortcuts.
“Your biggest enemy will be doubt; do not allow insecurity to enter your mind,” he said. “You will be fine, and if your fundamentals are weak, everything else will suffer because there are no shortcuts in law.”
He also cautioned against overreliance on artificial intelligence in legal training.
“Use AI, but don’t be a slave to AI,” he said. “AI can summarise cases, but it cannot replace a lawyer who thinks critically and develops solutions to client problems.”
The ceremony featured the presentation of plaques to the keynote speaker and Justice Hannah Taylor, as well as certificates of achievement to outstanding students.
Dionne Emmanuella Owusu-Edusei emerged as the overall best all-round performing student in Year One, Mr. Emmanuel Tematey in Year Two, and Mr. Seth Boakye in Year Three for the 2024/2025 academic year.
