I Don’t Downplay Lawyers’ Concerns – Asantehene

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II says he will go to great lengths to find effective solutions to all issues related to lawyers in Ghana due to the profession’s significance to the country.

This urge, he said, egged him on to lobby and fight for the establishment of a Ghana School of Law campus in the Ashanti Region in 2010.

Upon ascending the Golden Stool in 1999, His Majesty sought the motivation behind the entrenchment of the training school’s location to only the country’s capital and went to all lengths to change the narrative.

“I don’t downplay issues of lawyers. When I ascended the stool, there was only one Law School so I called Kwame Boafo and enquired why such an essential institution was only in Accra. At the time, I was told they wouldn’t get tutors when they bring a branch here.”

To deal with this, Otumfuo directed the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to house the campus and went further to engage some lawyers to convince them to render their services at the new branch.

“So I asked them to call lawyers for me and encouraged them to teach and then I told KNUST to give them a place to roll professional training out. People were looking forward to its failure but my grandsons (tutors) did well and dedicated themselves to teaching and the school succeeded.”

Permanent Campus
Years down the line while Justice Anin Yeboah was the Chief Justice, he beseeched Otumfuo for a land for a permanent campus for the school in Kumasi.

The king immediately ordered for suitable land to be allotted to them at no cost.

“Later Justice Anin came to suggest I find a place to establish a permanent school. At the time he was the Chief Justice. Prior to that, he had come for a land to build a residence for judges so I called the Regional Lands Officer to give it to them.”

Otumfuo directed the management of the school to use the money they intended to use to pay for the land to begin the laying of the foundation.

“The money you intended to use to purchase the land, use it to start the foundation. When the foundation commences, definitely we will finish it.”

Significance
His Majesty observes that such interventions will help spur the development of Ghana as law governs every sector of the country.

His Majesty recognizes that all professionals tend to read the law to augment their careers in recent days.

“These will help advance legal practice in Ghana. Ghana’s development depends on lawyers. Doctors and Engineers aspire to read law. This means the profession is significant. We will offer all assistance needed to advance the school.”

Appreciation
Otumfuo made these remarks when the Management of the Ghana School of Law led by the Director, Justice Nana Barima Yaw Kodie Oppong, and Justice Anin Yeboah joined the Awukudae festival celebration on February 10, 2025, to show appreciation for the land gifted to the school.

The Director in his submission said the 1.1 acres of land they have been given is strategically positioned near a court just like in advanced countries.

Currently, the Kumasi Campus is resident at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini