Meet Dion Akosua Kassim, the brilliant valedictorian of the University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL) Class of 2024. With an extraordinary Final Grade Point Average (FGPA) of 3.89, Dion’s academic journey is a testament to passion, discipline, and perseverance. In this exclusive interview, Dion shares the experiences, challenges, and motivations that led her to achieve this remarkable milestone.
How does it feel to set a record with your FGPA?
“Excited. That’s the one word I can use to describe it. When the call came, I was with my friends, and I have this habit of putting my phone on speaker. My friend was just screaming. They’ve always teasingly called me ‘valedictorian,’ but I never took it seriously. It was really overwhelming at first, and I found it hard to believe it was true.”
Tell us more about yourself. What drives you, and what stands out as your fondest memory from law school?
“My name is Dion Akosua Kassim, and I’m an only child. My academic journey began at Galaxy International School, followed by New Nation for primary education. After completing my IGCSEs, I moved on to East Airport International School for A-levels, finishing in 2020. Because of COVID, we couldn’t start university immediately, so we began in January 2021.”
“My biggest motivation? My mum. It’s that simple. I’ve always been an academic overachiever, and I’ve been a ‘good student’ for a long time. Disappointing my mum was never an option. No one pressured me to be valedictorian, but I was determined to earn a first class. That goal was set, and I worked tirelessly towards it. My mum was my biggest supporter, especially during tough times like exams.”
“My fondest memory? Definitely our first equity tutorial. We had heard that Equity and Trust was a tough subject and that many who didn’t graduate struggled with it. During the tutorial, the Teaching Assistant asked us to read some cases. I had an IA the next day, so I only skimmed the case. When he called on me, I could only give a brief summary, but he expected more detail. The class went dead quiet, and he lectured us on the importance of thoroughly reading cases. That moment stuck with me. From then on, I developed a habit of taking detailed notes, organizing everything into one book, and using highlighters religiously.”
Balancing academics and extracurriculars can be challenging. How did you manage it?
“I’ve always been social, even in high school. I didn’t fit the typical ‘nerd’ stereotype. During COVID, most of my friends were around, so I’d go out with them and still come back home, rest briefly, and study. I always had a daily schedule that balanced social life and academics. Instead of a strict study timetable, I used sticky notes to mark tasks for the day and ensured I made up for any missed ones the next day.”
What advice do you have for incoming freshmen or peers aiming for academic excellence?
“I always tell my mentees that it’s doable. If someone else has done it, you can too. Even if no one has done it before, it’s still possible. You just need to put in the effort, work smart, and utilize study groups. Throughout my time at UGSoL, I relied on study groups. If a group isn’t working, move on or split larger groups into smaller, more effective ones. Shout out to STC (Subject to Change)—one of the smaller study groups where now five of us are graduating with first-class honors.”
Were you involved in any notable campus organizations or initiatives?
“I was the Co-head of the Moot and Advocacy Committee in Level 300 during the 2022/2023 academic year. Organizing the Moot competition while writing IAs was a real challenge. We had a partner providing funding, so we had to be accountable. Balancing the responsibilities of organizing, securing judges, obtaining sponsorships, and more was demanding, but we pulled through.”
Any final words?
“Mmm… (Chuckles lightly) This is tough. What would I say? Thank you to everyone—the lecturers, the staff, everyone. Personally, I don’t think these will be my final words because UGSoL will see me again. I will definitely be back. I don’t know when, but I’ll be back.”
