A managing partner and Co-founder of Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Nana Adjoa Hackman, has charged the 2023 graduating class of the University of Ghana Law School to aspire to greater heights but not to let that vision blind them to their duties and obligation.
She encouraged the graduands to strive for excellence while remaining grounded in their duties and responsibilities and stressed, “Remember that you cannot fly without wings, and wings are grown, not made.”
Delivering a speech at the congregation ceremony of the school on Saturday 19th August 2025 she advised the students to strive for excellence in all things and confront challenges as part of the layers on the staircase to success.
She said, “Build yourselves up; don’t shy away from trying new things. It will ensure that you are prepared to take on opportunities when they do come up.”
And finally, stay consistent, keep on improving and performing. We are not perfect, in fact, we never will be, but don’t ever let that stop you. Instead, let dignity, honesty and integrity be your guide.”
Nana Adjoa Hackman urged the graduates to embrace change and innovation, particularly in light of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). She stressed that these innovations are likely to bring revolutionary changes not only to the global economy but also to the practice of law. She warned that failure to adapt to these changes could potentially lead to the displacement of lawyers by AI.
“We must begin to be more solution-oriented, more agile, and more adept to technological trends. It also means that like other ‘at-risk’ disciplines and professions, we must begin to adopt new ways of teaching, examining, and learning the law,” she stated, emphasizing the need to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.
“To remain relevant, we must be abreast with the times, be strategic and be adaptable. What will never change, however, is the strong moral code of our elite profession, fundamental amongst which is integrity,” she added.
She commended the graduands for successfully overcoming the first hurdle on their journey toward becoming barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Ghana. She acknowledged the immense effort they had put into their studies and encouraged them to feel proud of their accomplishments thus far.
“You have worked extremely hard, and you should be very proud of what you have accomplished so far,” she said.
She explained that the path to becoming a lawyer is a transformative experience that demands dedication, analytical thinking, and hard work. The rigours of legal education shape individuals into agents of change ready to impact the world. She cautioned that the demanding nature of legal practice would persist, with long hours and voluminous research remaining constant companions.
“To be successful, you would have to be disciplined, and put in many years of consistent hard work. A successful law career is defined by a reputation of constant learning and consistent delivery and performance over many years,” she noted, emphasizing the necessity of continuous learning and dedication.
She reminded them their chosen path is one of substance and depth, requiring a strong foundation built over time.