Law Firm Zoe, Akyea & Co enters partnership agreement with UCC Law faculty
Honourable Samuel Atta Akyea, the Head of Chambers in his address noted that through the partnership, hard work and excellence will be instilled in the students so as to come out of school having internalized these values
Zoe, Akyea & Co. Legal Practitioners and Notaries Public on Friday 17th February 2023 hosted the Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Coast (UCC), and a delegation from the University at the Law Firm’s premises in North Labone, Accra.
This meeting was in furtherance of a Partnership Agreement aimed at strengthening the connection between the Law firm and the Faculty of Law, at UCC. The UCC Faculty of Law, represented by Erasmus Akotey Quartey and Mercy Yaa Abbrey Noble Donkor won the Inter-University Law Challenge in 2022, leading to its recognition by Zoe, Akyea & Co.
Honourable Samuel Atta Akyea, the Head of Chambers in his address to the august gathering emphasized what he termed as two powerful principles: Hard work and Excellence. He highlighted that the reason for the partnership was to instill these two principles in the students so that they would come out of school having internalized these values.
In the words of the Honourable Member of Parliament, “if you hate hard work, you have mortgaged your future… if you chose to be average, you would not go far”. He, therefore, encouraged law students especially to develop an allergy to that which is not excellent. He ended by saying, “you can always become the best for yourself or you can be as poor as you want to be. Both are choices to be made”.
Speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of law, Mrs. Julia Selman-Ayetey expressed joy that this magnanimous gesture coincided with the celebration of the Faculty’s 10th anniversary, as well as the Firm’s 20th anniversary. She said that this Partnership Agreement would possibly be the first of its kind and the Faculty would demonstrate that they are worthy of the investment.
Christine Opoku Onyinah, a Senior Associate of the Firm explained that under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the law firm would present a cheque of Fifteen Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS15000) to the Faculty. The Firm will also set up two award schemes in the University: The Zoe, Akyea & Co Award for Overall Best Female Student and the Award for Best Student in Banking Law, sponsored by Honourable Atta Akyea. The aim of these awards is to provide scholarship opportunities for these students after their studies at the university, and additionally to motivate them to achieve excellence. In addition, the firm will provide internship opportunities for law students, allowing them to gain practical experience in the legal field and build connections with lawyers in practice. Lastly, the Faculty will collaborate with the Honourable Member of Parliament to deliver a lecture at a Faculty event or Symposium.
The Managing Partner of the Firm, Mrs. Phillipina Adelaide Akyea, accompanied by Mr. Emmanuel Kwaku Asare (Senior Associate) signed the partnership agreement with the University, represented by the Dean of the Faculty and Mr. Swanzy, the lecturer who trained the students for the Law Challenge.
The Firm at this event presented a cheque of GHS 15,000 to the Faculty to promote the objective of the partnership. Both parties expressed excitement about the partnership in hopes that this partnership will help bridge the gap between theory and practice in the legal field.
This agreement is expected to have a significant impact on both the Faculty of Law, UCC, and the Law firm. As the legal field continues to evolve and change, partnerships like this one will be essential for driving modernization in the legal field.
