UG Wins the 2023 National Jessup Moot Court Competition

The University of Ghana has placed first in the 2023 Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, securing them a place at the 2023 Championship, which is scheduled to be held at White and Case in Washington DC, USA, from April 8th to 15th, 2023.

The three-day competition was held at UPSA from February 22nd to 24th, 2023.

Five schools participated in the Ghana Qualifying Rounds of the Competition namely; University of Ghana (UG), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Lancaster University, University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Mountcrest University. 

UG balloted and exchanged memorials with the teams from the other universities during the Opening Ceremony on February 22, 2023. The first rounds for the preliminaries commenced on the 23rd of February, 2023. The UG team competed against Lancaster University and UCC, and triumphed. On the 24th of February, UG competed against the teams from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and Mountcrest University in the second round of the prelims. 

UG and KNUST qualified for the finals after the second round.

His Lordship Nene Amegatcher, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, presided over the final round panel, which had Dr. Enam Antonio and Mr. Albert Quashigah as panel members. 

In a fierce competition, the Applicant team from KNUST faced off against the Respondent team from UG. After submission from both parties, the court was adjourned for the panel to deliberate on the proceedings. His Lordship returned to the court after it was reconvened. By a 2-1 majority decision, Justice Nene Amegatcher of Ghana's Supreme Court declared the Respondents team of the University of Ghana the winners of the final round.

Miss Emenyo Afi Nutakor, Miss Lois Osei Sekyere, Mr. Emmanuel Kabu Nartey, Mr. Emmanuel Akpagli, and Miss Maame Aba Asiedu represented the UG team.

Mr Kabu Nartey was also named best oralist.

The team was coached by Mr. Kobby Afari Yeboah and Ms. Dorcas Eli Ameonu with Research support from Zainab Mustapha, Ruby Charlene Opoku, Maame Ekua Otenewa Oduro, Richard Adjei Kyeremateng, Michael Agbozo, Rachel Osei-Boafo, Spencer Addo, Nii Narh Addo, Portia Etornam Kornu, Jasmine Tekyi-Acheampong and Josephine Awuah Dapaah. 

Kwabena A. Addae-Marfo (External Competitions Head), Angela Efua Larko Djabatey (External Competitions Co-Head) and Comfort Achiaamaa Antwi (External Competitions Co-Head) were the coordinators.  

The Jessup case normally comprises several interwoven fields of international law, thus allowing participants to broaden their knowledge in research and familiarise themselves with materials that very well may not be taught in their law faculties or offered as part of their regular curriculum. 

Hearty congratulations to the UG team!