On 17th February 2023, Zoe, Akyea & Co., Legal Practitioners and Notaries Public, hosted the Dean and a delegation from the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Coast (UCC) at the Firm’s North Labone offices to formalise a Partnership Agreement designed to deepen collaboration between academia and practice.
The initiative strengthens the bridge between legal education and real-world practice, equipping students with practical exposure while recognising academic excellence. UCC’s recent success as winners of the 2022 Inter-University Law Challenge, represented by Erasmus Akotey Quartey and Mercy Yaa Abbrey Noble Donkor, was a catalyst for this engagement.
A shared commitment to hard work and excellence
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea, Head of Chambers, underscored two guiding principles —hard work and excellence —as the foundation of the relationship. He remarked as follows: “If you hate hard work, you have mortgaged your future… if you choose to be average, you will not go far.”
He encouraged students to “develop an allergy to that which is not excellent,” adding:
“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.”
Mrs. Julia Selman-Ayetey, Dean of the Faculty, welcomed the partnership, noting its alignment with the Faculty’s 10th anniversary and the Firm’s 20th anniversary, and expressed confidence that UCC would prove worthy of the investment and trust.
Partnership pillars
As outlined by Christine Opoku Onyinah, Senior Associate, the Agreement includes a GHS 15,000 cheque presented to the Faculty to advance the partnership’s objectives, as well as merit-based awards for the Overall Best Female Student and the Best Student in Banking Law sponsored by Hon. Atta Akyea.
These awards aim to motivate excellence and create scholarship opportunities upon completion of studies.
The Firm also promised to provide hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional networks for UCC students through its internship program, and to have Hon. Atta Akyea deliver a guest lecture at a Faculty event or symposium.
The Agreement was signed by Mrs. Phillipina Adelaide Akyea (Managing Partner), accompanied by Mr. Emmanuel Kwaku Asare (Senior Associate), on behalf of the Firm; and by Mrs. Julia Selman-Ayetey (Dean) and Mr. Swanzy (lecturer and coach of the Law Challenge team) on behalf of UCC.
The parties expressed optimism that this collaboration will bridge theory and practice, foster professional readiness, and support modernisation in legal education, benefiting students, the Faculty, and the profession at large.
About Zoe, Akyea & Co.
Zoe, Akyea & Co. is a full-service Ghanaian law firm providing dispute resolution, transactional, corporate and regulatory services to clients across key sectors.
Media & Partnerships For enquiries about this partnership or future collaborations,
please contact: beyeeman.akyea@zakyea.com | +233 (0) 26 371 0092
To further discuss this blog post or related matters, visit our office at C114 Aborlebu Crescent, North – Labone, Accra or contact us on 030 273 6742 or info@zakyea.com and a member of the Zoe, Akyea & Co. legal team will be happy to provide further insight.