Why did you first choose to study law?
Education has been my desire from the time I became conscious of myself as a young person in a community that begs for development and an upgrade. I come from Nima, one of the deprived, marginalized, under-resourced, and unfortunately discriminated communities in Ghana. I realized after my first undergraduate degree for the Bachelor of Business Administration, the depth of the deficit in legal representation in my community, resulting from a string of arbitrary arrests, prosecutions, and incarcerations. This spurred me to commit to the study of Law, as I recognized that it was a crucial driver of change desperately needed. I studied law to help educate my people, shape public understanding in my community, and offer needed representation in a community lagging behind in the national development discourse in Ghana.
What compelled you to go on and take an LLM at the University of Manitoba?
Following the completion of my Bachelor of Laws degree at KAAF University College in Ghana, I sought a broader and more nuanced perspective on the study and understanding of law. Through extensive research and consultations, I learned about the University of Manitoba from an alumnus. After a thorough review of the Faculty of Law’s website, I became convinced that it offered the ideal academic environment to nurture and advance my professional aspirations.
What area of law is your specialty?
Since my initial engagement with legal studies at the undergraduate level, I have been deeply fascinated by Human Rights Law. This interest stems from the profound impact that human rights law has had on humanity, particularly in shaping modern legal and social frameworks especially in the twentieth century. The study of human rights equips me with the essential knowledge and skills to serve effectively as an advocate, a role that has long been central to my aspirations.
What was your thesis topic, and who was your advisor?
My amazing advisor was Dr. Gillian MacNeil, without whose contribution and patience, my research would not have been possible. I would like to once again use this medium to express my appreciation to her and all the Law Faculty members.
My research topic was deliberately chosen as a timely response to the numerous human rights challenges that emerged globally in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It focused on a particularly vulnerable group—young women and girls working as head porters, locally referred to in Ghana as Kayaye, who earn their livelihoods by transporting goods for traders and shoppers within the crowded market environments of Accra, Ghana’s capital. The study examined the multifaceted social and economic hardships faced by this group, especially during the pandemic, and evaluated the relevance and enforcement of social, cultural, and economic rights within both international and domestic legal frameworks. The research was titled “Enforcement of Socio-economic Rights of Head Porters in the Advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ghana.”
What is next for you?
Next, I plan to apply the skills and insights I have gained through my years of legal study to real-world human rights challenges. I am looking to work with institutions or organizations engaged in socio-economic rights, especially in the African context. I hope to take up a role in research, policy, or advocacy that allows me to translate my knowledge into practical reforms. My ultimate aim is to return home and establish an NGO dedicated to addressing the growing housing challenges faced by vulnerable groups in my community.
