Humphrey Awuletey-Williams has called on law students to develop character, wisdom and compassion alongside their legal knowledge as they prepare to enter the profession.
The Group Chairman of Oswal Investments Group was speaking at the second edition of the Ellen Awuletey Justice Moot Court Session Competition, held at the UPSA Law School on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
He told participants that studying law was preparation for a position of considerable responsibility in society, rather than an academic pursuit alone.
“I want to remind our dear students that they are preparing to occupy a position of significant responsibility in society and not just studying law,” Awuletey-Williams said.
He said graduates would be expected to protect and defend the rights of people seeking justice, making personal conduct and values as important as legal understanding.
“One day, all of you will become important advocates of the law, and people will come to you when their rights have been violated. When that time comes, your knowledge of the law will be important, but your character and compassion will be tested,” he said.
The competition was named after Ellen Awuletey and is sponsored by her son, Awuletey-Williams, in recognition of her belief in the importance of education.
Although she did not receive formal education, he said, her life was marked by wisdom and a firm commitment to learning.
“Ellen Awuletey, whose life, though not adorned with formal education, was defined by wisdom and an unrelenting belief in the value of education,” he said.
Awuletey-Williams explained that his mother had hoped one of her children would become a lawyer, but that ambition was never fulfilled. Her experience, he added, had encouraged him to support students aspiring to study law and eventually be called to the Bar.
He also urged the participants to understand the difference between knowledge and wisdom, saying both were necessary in everyday life and in professional duties.
“One of the things I believe in is that knowledge and wisdom are two different values, and each one is very important in our daily lives,” he said.
The students were advised to build the practical habits required for effective legal work, including attentive listening, detailed research and clear reasoning.
“Learn to listen, learn to research and learn to reason to defend the principles of fairness and to ensure that the law remains the law,” Awuletey-Williams said.
The competition’s panel comprised Supreme Court Justice Kwaku T Ackaah-Boafo, who presided as the central justice, retired Court of Appeal Justice Saeed Gyan, seated on the left, and lawyer Ruby Aglagoh, seated on the right.
Awuletey-Williams concluded by wishing the competing students well. The event gives aspiring legal practitioners an opportunity to strengthen their advocacy, research and reasoning skills.
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