Ghana – Her Journey To Being A Lawyer

Laurine Darkwa’s journey to becoming a lawyer in Ghana was marked by resilience and determination, despite facing significant challenges along the way. Inspired by her parents, both lawyers who own a law firm together, Laurine’s childhood dream was to follow in their footsteps, even though she struggled with sciences in school.

After graduating from Kwame Nkrumah University in Kumasi in 2015, Laurine applied to the Ghana School of Law. However, she encountered obstacles when she did not pass the entrance exams on her first attempt. Undeterred, she persisted and reapplied in 2016, eventually gaining admission.

Navigating law school was no easy feat for Laurine, especially considering the additional hurdle of not passing her lawyer exams on her first three attempts. This delay meant that she was not called to the bar until 2020, after finally passing the exams on her fourth try.

During the challenging periods of waiting and re-taking exams, Laurine sought solace and diversion by pursuing other interests. She enrolled in a bead-making course and, together with her younger sister, launched a business called “House of Jersy.” This entrepreneurial venture not only provided them with a creative outlet but also a source of income as Laurine worked towards her goal of becoming a lawyer.

Reflecting on her journey, Laurine encourages other women who may have faced similar setbacks in gaining admission to the Ghana School of Law not to put their lives on hold. She underscores the importance of exploring alternative opportunities while remaining steadfast in pursuit of their dreams.

In Ghana, Laurine notes that while the entrance rate of women into law school currently stands at 34%, there is a mix of concern and optimism regarding this statistic. However, there are promising trends to highlight. For instance, in 2020, 52% of those called to the bar were women, indicating a notable increase in female representation within the legal profession. Additionally, in 2023, the majority of awards presented at the law school’s graduation ceremony were bestowed upon women. These developments are seen as encouraging signs of progress toward gender parity within Ghana’s legal community.

To encourage more women to enter the legal profession in Ghana, Laurine advocates for starting with basic education to instill confidence and dispel misconceptions about the difficulty of becoming a lawyer.

Observing trends in legal education, Laurine notes a diverse range of students, including CEOs and human resource personnel seeking legal knowledge for their professions. She herself aspires to specialize in alternative dispute resolution, particularly arbitration.

Laurine’s advice to women is to trust in God and persevere in the face of challenges. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of resilience and determination in achieving one’s

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