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A renowned legal expert and statesman, Nana Dr Susubribi Krobea Boaten (SKB) Asante, has been awarded the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School Honorific Award.
The UPSA Law School Honorific Award is an annual award scheme meant to honour distinguished Ghanaians who have contributed immensely to the development of the country.
Nana Dr SKB Asante, who is the Paramount Chief of the Asokore Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region, and who chaired the Committee of Experts that drafted the proposals for the Constitution, is the second recipient of the award.
He was honoured at a ceremony at the UPSA Auditorium last Thursday, dubbed the UPSA Law Honorific Lecture and Award, which was on the theme: “Celebrating a Legacy of Service and Excellence.”
The event had in attendance eminent personalities such as the Chief Justice; Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, who delivered the eulogistic lecture on the life of the honouree, the Attorney –General and Minister of Justice; Godfred Yeboah Dame, the Chairman of the Council of State, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, and the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II.
Others were a former Speaker of Parliament; Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, a statesman and former CEO of Anglogold Ashanti, Sir Sam Jonah, the National President of the Ghana Bar Association, Yaw Acheampong Boafo, and current and retired Justices of Superior Courts.
Born in 1933, Nana Dr SKB Asante has been a consequential part of the country’s history since independence, contributing immensely to the country’s democracy and national development.
He was a pioneer lecturer in law when the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana was established in 1961 and went on to serve as the first Head of Department.
The venerable traditional ruler and statesman had served in many capacities in the public sector such as a Solicitor-General and later as Deputy Attorney-General from 1969 to 1977, Chairman of the Public Agreements Review Committee from 1972 to 1977.
He was also the Chairman of the Committee of Experts that drafted the proposals which eventually culminated in the 1992 Constitution.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Attorney-General, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, described Nana Dr SKB Asante as a great statesman and one of the illustrious sons of Ghana, who had paid his dues and served the country diligently in many capacities throughout his life.
“We celebrate a man whose life and work have been synonymous with integrity in public life, devotion to duty and a strong attachment to the rule of law.
Nana Dr SKB Asante’s illustrious career in law, spanning several decades, has left a considerable mark not only on the Ghanaian legal profession but also on the international legal stage. His contributions have enriched our legal system, fostered a culture of excellence, and inspired generations of legal practitioners,” the President said.
President Akufo-Addo said Nana Dr SKB Asante’s life embodied excellence, perseverance and hard work, and had contributed immensely to the development of many fields such as law, diplomacy, investment and transnational cooperation.
Delivering the eulogistic lecture, the Chief Justice touched on the various facets of Nana Dr SKB Asante’s career— law lecturer, Solicitor-General, Deputy Attorney-General—and his time at the World Bank and UN, and said the great statesman had not only been a blessing to Ghana, but to the entireAfrican continent and the world at large.
She mentioned the tremendous role the awardee played in the drafting of the 1992 Constitution and his extraordinary work he did in negotiating funding for a key project for the country such as the Kpong Hydro Electric Project.
With regard to law, Justice Torkornoo said Nana Dr SKB Asante, had left an indelible mark in constitutional law, investment and commercial law, international law, the law of international organisations, and the law on arbitration.
The Chief Justice said Nana Dr SKB Asante’s name should be part of the great names that had shaped modern Ghana. “I have long formed the position that Nana Dr SKB Asante’s place is within the volumes of the makers of Ghana’s civilisation.
Nana Dr SKB Asante is a national hero, statesman, patriarch, administrator, academic, national and international civil servant, leader of thought, philosopher and Omanhene, a traditional ruler, and social engineer extraordinaire,” the Chief Justice added.
Nana Dr SKB Asante dedicated the award to his wife, whom he described as his dedicated partner for the past 60 years, and had made many sacrifices to support him.
“My wife had been by my side at the expense of her career and happiness as I pursued my dreams. Her love and care had sustained and strengthened me,” he said.
He advised the youth to pursue excellence and strive for values instead of focusing on instant acquisition of wealth, power and fame.
“The test of a successful life is the benefits to our fellow humans and society at large,” he said.
