Nana Adjoa Hackman
A Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Nana Adjoa Hackman, has charged newly graduated law students to strive for excellence in all things, while they confront challenges as part of the layers on the staircase to success.
According to her, with a qualification in law, the world is their oyster, indicating that it will be up to them to make their meal.
Speaking at the congregation ceremony of the students of the University of Ghana School of Law at the weekend, Adjoa Hackman again charged the fresh graduates to aspire to greater heights, but quickly added they should not let that vision blind them to the duties and obligations of their current status.
“Remember that you cannot fly without wings, and wings are grown, not made. Maintain a positive mindset and know that you are not your failings, in the same vein you are also not your achievements,” she indicated.
The lawyer said this would keep them grounded, while grinding and continuously achieving, urging, “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.”
She wants the new law graduates to also stay consistent, keep on improving and performing, while allowing dignity, honesty and integrity to be their guide.
The ALA Managing Partner indicated that the journey to becoming a lawyer is a life-changing experience.
“I am mindful that not all of you may want to go on to become professional lawyers, nonetheless, this will still be relevant to you,” she noted.
According to her, the volume and rigour of work they need to put in, the depth of analytical thinking required, and the amount of time spent burning the midnight candle, ensures that by the end of their studies, they have been broken, moulded, shaped, baked and sharpened to affect the course of the world out there.
“When I was at the faculty here in Legon, half of my student mattress was covered with books. The other half was where I slept. The life of a practising lawyer is not much different.
“I’m sorry if that revelation disappoints you. No, we don’t sleep on student mattresses, but what I mean is that you would continue to burn the midnight candle and your desk may struggle with volumes of books,” Nana Adjoa said.
She asserted that to be successful, they would have to be disciplined, and put in many years of consistent hard work, and pointed out that a successful law career is defined by a reputation of constant learning and consistent delivery and performance over many years.
“It is not something you can fast track or take a shortcut to get to. It will require you to build within yourselves, a strong foundation, with depth and substance. This is the path that you have chosen,” she posited.
By Ernest Kofi Adu