Embrace AI, new technologies – Nana Adjoa Hackman urges UG law graduands
Ms Hackman gave the charge when she addressed the graduands as the special guest speaker at the UG School of Law 2023 congregation ceremony
The managing partner of Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Nana Adjoa Hackman, has charged the 2023 graduating law class of the University of Ghana (UG) School of Law to endeavor to be proficient in new technological trends and artificial intelligence (AI) because the legal profession will be greatly impacted by the technological space in the future.
Ms Hackman gave the graduating class the charge when she addressed them as the special guest speaker at the prestigious University of Ghana School of Law 2023 congregation ceremony at the Great Hall, today Saturday (19 August).
AI revolution
The world according to Nana Adjoa Hackman, has changed a lot since she completed her LLB in 2001, and the conservative law profession is being challenged like never before to questions, views and practices that were once held dear. One such development she observed, is the emergence of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.
“I am a keen follower of the World Economic Forum and its daily reportage on trends, issues, and innovations likely to cause a revolutionary change to the global economy.
“Trends and innovations like AI tools, which if used well can improve the efficiency and productivity of lawyers and law firms, but can equally retire us all, if we fail to get on top of the rapid new developments taking place” Nana Adjoa Hackman said.
“How do we future proof ourselves, our firms, and our industry? My guess is that we must begin to be more solution oriented, more agile, and more adept to technological trends. It also means that like other “at-risk” disciplines and professions, we must begin to adopt new ways of teaching, examining, and learning the law.
“To remain relevant, we must be abreast with the times, be strategic and be adaptable. What will never change, however, is the strong moral code of our elite profession, fundamental amongst which is integrity” she added.
Globalized legal profession
Globalization according to the astute corporate lawyer, is having a direct impact on the legal profession simply because the world today is no longer the vast territorial mass it used to be.
The effect of this on the legal profession Ms Hackman said is that, “we are competing with colleague lawyers and law firms beyond our jurisdiction, but this also presents us with opportunities on a global scale”.
“Bringing it closer home to a now more integrated Africa, the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AFCFTA), presents us with opportunities to provide services to a marketplace of some 1.4 billion people, with a combined GDP of US$3.4 trillion and growing.
“How do we make ourselves more relevant in this new integrated Africa? I daresay that in the area of business law, our Francophone colleagues are a step ahead of us in this regard, having developed and implemented the Organisation for Harmonisation of Business Law (OHADA) in the early 1990s” she said.
“The uniformity, certainty and predictability associated with this, has ensured that a practising lawyer in a Francophone country can represent his client in any other Francophone country in Africa, on contractual and commercial matters, at least.
“The AFCFTA Protocol on Rules and Procedures for Settlement of Disputes, provides for the settlement of trade disputes among states. What then happens in the case of trade disputes between individuals and businesses, trading across state boarders?
“Perhaps, it is time that we utilize more the common advantage that our Anglophone/Commonwealth history, regardless of its not so pleasant antecedents present us with, as a starting point to building some uniform principles for resolving these cross-border business disputes.
“The importance of legal integration as a sine qua non to economic integration cannot be overemphasized. I look forward to the near future where you, as Ghanaian lawyers, will be moving motions in the highest court of an integrated Africa” the ALA managing partner added.
Products of Challenges
In her address, Ms Hackman told the graduating class that they will be confronted with many challenges in the world they are about to step in. However, their ability to manage the challenges and navigate their way out of them, will determine the kind of legal practitioners they will become.
“With the benefit of the challenges and triumphs that have led me to the point where I stand before you today, and years of hindsight, I am a firm believer in the fact that we are a product of our challenges. Even more importantly, a product of how we deal with the challenges that will confront us.
“Things will not always go according to our plans; however, they will go according to the Master’s grand design for our lives, and true to His word, He makes all things beautiful in His time” the renowned corporate lawyer said.
“Your journey through law school and work as a legal practitioner will be filled with many wins, but there would also be some very difficult challenges. I urge you all to see the challenges that befall you as disguised opportunities for growth.
“For each of you, the decision to pursue a career in law would have been motivated by some reason, some purpose you seek to achieve. Whatever your motivation is, the best place to start is to build up yourselves. Invest in knowledge and skill, build expertise, and make a good impact” she further remarked at the huge gathering.
Chosen path
Telling the story of her personal journey to becoming a lawyer, Ms Hackman said when she was at the law faculty in Legon, half of her student mattress was covered with books. The other half was where she slept.
“To be successful, you would have to be disciplined, and put in many years of consistent hard work. 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 short cut 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” Nana Adjoa Hackman said.
Ancient Roman philosopher
Ending her admonishing to the 2023 graduating class, Nana Adjoa Hackman, called on the graduands to “keep in mind the words of the ancient Roman philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca; “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”.
“My own version, which may not sound as elegant as Seneca’s, my dear friends, is that on your journey, people may open doors for you, but you have to walk in yourself, and make your presence felt, to be invited to sit at the table and dine; that will be all up to you” she said.
The world is your oyster
Nana Adjoa Hackman finally urged the graduating class to strive for excellence as they move to the next stage of their career ambition to be lawyers, and also to know that the world out there is synonymous with an oyster handed to them and they have a responsibility to make their preferred meal out of it.
“Graduands, with a qualification in law, the world is your oyster, and it will be up to you to make your meal of it. And so, the 2023 graduating class of law students of the University of Ghana, my personal charge to you is this: Strive for excellence in all things.
“Confront challenges as part of the layers on the staircase to success. Aspire to greater heights; but do not let that vision blind you to the duties and obligations of your current status. Remember that you cannot fly without wings, and wings are grown, not made” Nana Adjoa Hackman said at the congregation.
“Maintain a positive mindset and know that you are not your failings, in the same vein you are also not your achievements. This will keep you grounded, while grinding and continuously achieving. 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. Finally, stay consistent, keep on improving and performing. We are not perfect, in fact, we never will be, but don’t ever let that stop you. Instead, let dignity, honesty and integrity be your guide” she added.
Reporting by Wilberforce Asare in Accra
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