The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has made history after graduating Ghana’s first PhD holders in Law on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
The ceremony, held at the university campus, drew special attention with the presence of the Chancellor, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who joined faculty, students, and families to witness the milestone.
The first cohort is made up of three scholars whose work talks on some of the country’s long standing legal and policy challenges.
Dr Delali Adzo Gawu focused her research on the many difficulties around interpreting and applying Ghana’s income tax laws issues that have affected compliance and enforcement for years. Her study offers clearer direction that can help policymakers, tax experts, and average citizens better understand how the laws work.
Dr. Edmond Nelson Amasah turned his attention to problems within the third party motor insurance system, particularly the delays and frequent rejection of claims that have frustrated road users for decades. His work points to practical ways to strengthen consumer protection and restore confidence in the insurance system.
In the area of energy, Dr. Richard Obeng Mensah examined the gaps in Ghana’s legal and regulatory setup that make it difficult for renewable energy to grow. His findings highlight the kinds of reforms needed if the country is to expand its use of cleaner and more sustainable power sources.
The three graduates described their PhD journey as tough but rewarding. They had to deal with limited access to industry data, the challenge of breaking down complex legal concepts for field interviews, and the pressure of managing work, research, and family at the same time. Despite these hurdles, they pushed through and opened a new chapter in Ghana’s legal academic landscape.
KNUST’s achievement is being widely celebrated as a major step forward for the country. The university hopes this first group of doctoral graduates in Law will inspire more scholars and help shape research that directly supports Ghana’s development needs. With Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s presence at the ceremony, the milestone carried added weight and pride for the institution and the nation.
By Dennis Nana Agyei-Gyebi
