UCC Law Student Wins Prestigious International Legal Writing Award

Ms. Halima Abena Kyerewah Adam, a third-year law student at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has received the 2025 Wohlmuth Award from Jurist News, a renowned global legal news platform.

JURIST has more than one million readers annually and aims to highlight global issues related to the rule of law in an easy-to-read format.

In 2024, an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding was concluded between the Faculty of Law, UCC and JURIST, which provides that UCC Law students are the only law students in Ghana to write for JURIST. Currently, no other law students from West Africa are writing for the news site.

The Wohlmuth Award is presented annually to a select group of exceptional contributors who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to legal journalism and advocacy. It is named after Paul Wohlmuth, a former professor at the University of San Diego Law School and a pioneering advocate for innovative legal thinking. Professor Wohlmuth’s early contributions led to the establishment of the Institute of Law & Systems Research, which provided foundational support for JURIST’s creation.

In a congratulatory message, Bernard J. Hibbitts, Publisher Emeritus of JURIST, and Jaclyn M. Belczyk, Executive Director, praised Halima for her outstanding commitment and impact during her tenure as a staff writer.

“Halima, in your time on JURIST, you have written several Ghana dispatches, sharing your voice with readers around the world. We thank you for your efforts and we are so grateful to continue to be part of your journey,” the statement read.

In just one year of being part of the JURIST team, Halima’s contributions have provided insightful legal perspectives on issues in Ghana and the broader African region, bringing international attention to local legal developments. Her work aligns with JURIST’s mission of engaging law students and professionals globally in public service journalism.

The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Mrs Julia Selman-Ayetey, Esq, commended Halima for the remarkable achievement, noting that her recognition not only brings honour to the institution but also gives a voice to emerging legal leaders from the South and highlights the global relevance of Ghanaian legal scholarship.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC