The UPSA Law School has honoured Professor Justice Samuel Kofi Date-Bah, a retired Supreme Court Judge, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The renowned jurist was celebrated for his remarkable contributions and unwavering dedication to advancing Ghana’s legal education at a colourful ceremony at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Thursday, August 31.
The event was attended by dignitaries including the Chief Justice of the Republic, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo; the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, legal luminaries, UPSA staff and faculty members as well as students.
The Dean of UPSA Law School, Prof. Kofi Abotsi, told the gathering that, the award recognises Prof. Date-Bah’s scholarly achievements and his impact on legal education and practice in Ghana.
He mentioned that Prof. Date-Bah’s monumental contributions have left an indelible mark on the legal profession in Ghana, stating that his works and legacy have set a high standard for future generations of legal professionals to emulate.
The Chief Justice in her address as the Special Guest of Honour, described Prof. Date-Bah as a consummate teacher.
Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, recounting some fond memories of the retired Justice of the Supreme Court, mentioned that he effortlessly communicated complex legal concepts in a way that made them comprehensible to everyone.
“Without attempting to teach in conventional ways, in any short time of interaction, Prof. Date-Bah can impart professional and life lessons that can have a transformative effect on a life and career,” Justice Torkornoo said.
Attorney General, Godfred Dame, lauded Prof. Justice Kofi Date-Bah for his outstanding contributions to legal education and the promotion of justice in Ghana.
Mr. Dame said: “I will hasten to say that Prof. Date-Bah’s return to Ghana in 2003, marked by his momentous appointment to the Supreme Court, further boosted his contribution to legal education as he enriched the study of law in Ghana, generally, with many very incisive judgments on a variety of subjects, ranging from constitutional law to business transactions.”
Responding to the heartfelt tributes, Prof. Date-Bah, expressed his appreciation to the UPSA Law School for acknowledging his contributions to Ghana’s legal system.
He stated that the honour will further inspire him to contribute even more to the development of the law in Ghana.
He called on law faculties in Ghana to sponsor able students to study comparative law.
He believes that by supporting students in this specialised field, they will be well-versed in the civil law tradition to promote Ghana’s interests in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Profile of Prof. Date-Bah
Justice Date-Bah’s career trajectory is marked by a diverse range of roles. From 1984 to 2003, he held the esteemed position of Special Legal Advisor at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. He was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana in 2003 and he served in that role until 2013 when he retired.
In addition to his advisory and judicial responsibilities, Professor Date-Bah made notable contributions to academia. Starting as a lecturer at the University of Ghana in 1969, he steadily ascended to the rank of Associate Professor. He also imparted his legal expertise at the Faculty of Law at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, before achieving the status of a full Professor of Law at the University of Calabar, Nigeria, in 1980.
Professor Date-Bah remains actively engaged in several significant roles. He serves as a member of both the Council of the Ghana Association of Restructuring and Insolvency Advisors and the Board of the Office of the Registrar of Companies.
