My family fasted when it was exam time – Five new lawyers share their perseverance stories

The journey to being called to the bar, for many is one of the most challenging tasks.

It takes a lot of hardwork, perseverance, and sacrifices to will your way through sleepless nights semester after semester.

This year, a total of 182 females were called to the bar after they signed an undertaking to observe the best law practices.

They share their individual journeys with Theghanareport.com.

• Antoinette Ayisah-Eyeson

Antoinette said she didn’t set out to be a lawyer, she had plans of going into banking but ended up doing law.

Asked if she regrets pursuing law, she simply said no. “I couldn’t have seen myself doing anything different.”

The journey through law school did not come on a silver platter for Antoinette. She told theghanareport.com that there were a number of times she cried herself to sleep. She wanted to give up.

It was a daunting task to adjust to the course routine of waking up early, “I remember times we had to report to class at 7:00am and close at 6:00pm, I will be in class and just doze off. It wasn’t easy since we had just an hour break.”

But through it all, she persevered. Hardwork alone is not enough, she said.

“Always make God the centre of your life. Everything you do you need to put God first, there’s been times I get tired but he is always there.”

Being a Christian, she quoted the book of Isaiah 60:22, which states “when the time is right, I, the Lord will make it happen.”

She urged the youth who have an interest in law to take that bold step.

Madam Ayisah-Eyeson was awarded the best student in civil procedure.

• Mrs Matilda Wedabemah Awiah

Night after night, semester after semester. It’s not been easy, she said.

Her story is not too different. A lot of sacrifices had to be made. Losing her sleep because she had to wake up and be in class at 7:00am was no joke.

But she said one thing she is grateful for is in 2018, when she, together with 450 students were selected out of about 1,800 students after passing the entrance exams.

She urged the youth especially the young women never to give up and not be intimidated by anyone. She believes the sky is the limit once they set their mind to it.

Her hardwork paid off with an award in Interpretation of Deeds and Statutes course.

• Mrs Kumah Grace Ohenewaa

Mrs Kumah’s journey started with her husband some eight years ago. Both husband and wife applied for the law program in 2016 but she found out she was pregnant.

Her family was very supportive. She recounted a time when her father – a pastor (now late)- would come to come to the hospital and help her make sense of some of the cases and assignments given to them.

Looking back now, she said she did not picture herself as a lawyer. All she wanted to do was work in the oil and gas sector but was encouraged by colleagues from work and her friends.

She said her family has been a great support. “Anytime I had a paper, my family would fast and pray for me. They wait for me to call that I am done with the exam before they break the fast. I know if God doesn’t listen to my prayers, he would at least listen to that of my family.

Commenting on the legal education in Ghana, Mrs Kumah said to a greater extent the legal structure sets students up to deal with the practicality out there.

According to her, it encourages independent learning and innovative thinking. The internship program created a good platform for students to learn, grow, and get the real-life experience.

Her advice to the youth is to stay focused, determined and always trust in God.

Mrs Kumah took home the best student in family law and practice

• Osei-Bonsu Jeitan

Jeitan’s quest for the legal profession can be likened to a flower watered and nurtured to blossom. It started at the age of 13 when she had an opportunity to visit the Supreme Court for a career development program.

Just one look at the Justices and lawyers graced in their black robe urged her on the path to law.

“I just liked the way the lawyers comported themselves, it was then I decided this is where I want to be. I didn’t know how I was going to get there but I just knew this was it for me.”

Being the last of three children and the first lawyer in the family, Jeitan’s dream is to become a top-notch lawyer.

The journey to being called to the bar did not come easy. It came with a lot of sacrifices and hardwork.

She won the best student in conveyancing and drafting.

• Jessica Twumasi

Jessica’s story is quite different. She was called to the bar in England after her Master’s degree program so she had to do a post-call.

A post-call is a course for people who have already been called to the bar.

Coming back to do the call in Ghana was a bit challenging, she said. With little or no legal experience in Ghana, it was quite difficult.

“The most challenging part of the course is that most of us haven’t done the course but it takes a while for you to learn how to write, the teaching style is different from how you write in the UK. You are basically using one year to learn all the things that some are learning in five years.”

Comparing her studies in England to Ghana’s, she said the courses should be more practical as it gives room for innovative thinking. Students are taught to do a lot of memorising, which according to her, was not the best.

She also mentioned the number of students in a class. In England, you are likely to have a maximum six students in the Advocacy class which was not the same in Ghana.

But looking back now, she said it’s been worth it. She urged the youth to always remain consistent and study hard.

“Just be consistent regardless of the number of people who pass. If somebody said its one per cent that passed, just make sure you are part of the one per cent.”

In the next five years, Jessica wants to be comfortable enough to do a lot of pro bono cases. Also, with an interest in fighting financial crime, Jessica wants to work with the Legal Aid Scheme and someday join the Economic and Organised Crime Office.

Find below the full list of the female lawyers called to the bar

Aboe Sheryl Naa Amankwaa

Abubakar Fatimatu

Acquah-Dadzie Olivia

Acquah Elena

Acquah Evelyn Joyce

Adam Nahaja Rahma

Addae Kensah Bernice Nana

Addai Priscilla Marfo

Addy Mary Akweley

Adu Francisca Agyekumwaa

Adu-Gyamfi Maame Adwoa Dufie

Afoakwah Christiana Afua

Afriyie Nana Akua

Afriyie-Badu Akua

Agyei Bridget

Agyeinyo Linda

Ahadzi Anastasia Asante

Ahiafor Issabel Afua

A lot Adwoa Dagadu

Akyaah-Donkor Ama

Amankwa Christine Dede

Amankwah Alicia

Amoah Ama Yamoaba

Amonoo-Mensah Rita

Amponsah Beatrice Nyamewa

Amponsah Emma Sakyiwa

Angmor Rachel Yomle Flavia

Annan Ama Oduwa

Annan Ann

Annan Tracy Chochoe

Arkorful Sabina Maame Efua

Armah Jones Sheilla Naa

Arthur Sandra

Asafo-Adjei Lucy

Asamoah Abiana Kukua

Asamoah Victoria

Asare Ama Amoabeng

Asare Nana Ama

Asaase Patience Nana Ama

Ashong Natasha

Asiamah-Adjei Afua Oforiwaa

Asubonteng Adwoa Osafredu

Attakumah Yram Abra

Attipoe Sitsofe

Awiah Matilda Wedadebam

Awotwi Courtney Heather

Awuku-Larbi Abena Amoabeah

Ayisah-Eyeson Antoinette

Ayitey-Adjin Mary Naa Okailey

Babilah Louisa Yenpoka

Badu Nana Ama Doe

Bannerman Sylvia Dede

Barimah Sandra Sarfowa

Barnor Brigitte Nadia

Bedzrag Selasi Dede

Benson Elikem Salma

Bentsi-Enchill Efua

Boa-Amponsem Akua Birago

Boateng Thelma Abrefi

Bonsu Maame Serwaa

Botchway Kathleen

Bruce-Cathline Dyllis Nana

Buck man Wilhelmina Joana

Chinebuah Chrissie Akesi

Cobbinah Cynthia

Crentsil Bessy Agyeiwaa

Dankyi Stella Adjoa

Dapaa Theodora

Darko Stacy Naa Doodua

Davis Vanessa Awurabena

Degbor Jennifer Fafali

Django Awo Ama Otwiwaa

Dovlo Exom Awushi

Dish Amfo Fredericka

Gyasi Aisha Tiwaa

Gyimah Frances

Hagan Myra Christiana

Hammond Natalie Korkor

Hayfron Ama Egyirba

Hlordjie Gify Aku

Homenya Eyram Rosa Abra

Inkoom Abena Aboa

Josiah-Aryeh Veronica Nana

Kaponde Mercy

Jesse Benedicta Gyamfua

Koomson Ama

Kumah Grace Ohenewaa

Lartey Doris

Lartey Linda Terkie

Lefela Abigail

Mattah Lebene Abla

Mensah Charlotte Ama

Mensah Edith

Mensah Grace

Mensah Mercy Nana Ama

Messiba Emma Norviti

Mills Naa Koshie

Mireku Juliana Ofosu

Moro Rukaya

Mousey Bernadette Agnes

Manor Gladys Naana Maku

Manor Yvonne Nakie

Narh Bernice Nuerkey

Nkansah Grace

Nortey Obedia

Nuamah-Dankwa Obaapa

Nyarko-Opoku Abena Safoa

Nyameaye Adwoa

Obboh Ernestina Botchwey

Obeng-Mensah Catherine

Obour Victoria

Ockling Abigail Abena

Ocran Lydia-Love Kuukua

Ocran Juliana Millicent

Odum-Boateng Eunice

Food Chelsea Ofoliwaa

Ofori Sarpong Mandy

Ofori-Ani Irene

Ofosu-Dorte Darley

Ofosuhene Charlotte Sika

Ohene-Bonsu Yaa Boatemaa

Okwan-Duodu Deborah

Olloh Esther

Opoku Akosua Asabea

Opoku Maud Owusua

Oppong Owusu Mona

Osei Amanda Duah

Osei Joan Akorfa

Osei Patricia Alberta

Osei-Boateng Benedicta

Osei-Bonsu Jeitan

Osei-Darko Freda

Osei-Nkrumah Yacoba

Osei-Owusu Wilhemina

Otoo Lauretta Maame Esi

Otoo Theresa

Owusu-Sarpong Josephine

Paintsil Ewuradwoa Assba

Pardon Eunice

Poison Joana Fynn-Wills

Pokua Sarah

Quartey-Papafio Precious

Sarah Gloria Ewura Ama

Sackey Abokomah Ama

Sakyi Akua

Sarfo-Mensah Cecilia

Sarfo-Kantanka Nana Agyeman

Sarpong Amoatemaa Abena

Tawiah Celestina

Tay Adeline Sefakor

Tenkorang Linda Ama

Twumasi Bervelyn Akosua

Vordzorgbe Senam Ami

William’s Marcelle

Wilson Nana Akua Ntow

Olivia Felicia

Wooden Barbara-Marian

Yeboah Yaa Tiwaa

Yentumi Jennifer Afriyie