The University of Ghana School of Law has once again affirmed its position as Ghana’s leading institution for international legal advocacy by retaining its title as champions of the National Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Winning the national championship for the second consecutive year, the school’s moot court team has earned the honour of representing Ghana at the 2026 White and Case Jessup International rounds from 28th March to 4th April 2026 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Washington, D.C. The team’s success reflects the school’s continuous pursuit of excellence in international law research and advocacy, as well as its longstanding commitment to experiential legal education and academic excellence.

The two-day competition was held at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Law Faculty from 4th to 5th February 2026, where a total of six universities vied for the coveted trophy. These are the University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Faculty of Law, University of Cape Coast (UCC) Faculty of Law, University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Faculty of Law, Mountcrest University College Faculty of Law, and the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Faculty of Law.

The University of Ghana School of Law team was represented by Lydia Dodonu Adakutse, Nana Adjoa A. E. Addae, Laud Nii Mantey Annang, Stephanie Panyin Ghanney, and Suguru-Veila Farida Yakubu.

In addition to winning the title as national champions, UGSoL also won top honours in Best Oralists and Combined Memorials. Nana Adjoa A.E. Addae was adjudged the overall Best Oralist for both the preliminary and championship rounds, while Laud Nii Mantey Annang received the award for Best Oralist (Runner Up). The team also won the award for Best Combined Memorials (Runner Up). 

Speaking on the achievement, the Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, Prof. Peter Atudiwe Atupare, described this victory as a reflection of the school’s commitment to academic excellence and experiential learning;

“This win underscores the depth of talent, discipline and intellectual rigour that define the University of Ghana School of Law. We are immensely proud of our students and faculty who continue to uphold the school’s legacy of academic excellence”.

The team also noted that this consecutive win was the result of sustained preparation, teamwork, and adhering to the exceptional standards of quality teaching and learning instilled in them at the University of Ghana School of Law:

“Winning the national rounds again is both an honour and a responsibility. We are grateful for the institutional support and proud to represent Ghana on the international stage. We aim to give an excellent account of ourselves as our predecessors did last year (2025) by winning the Elona E. Evans award for best team memorials at the international rounds (18th place) as well as making it past the preliminary rounds to the round of the top 48 schools for the first time in the nation’s history.”

The team was coached by Kobby Afari Yeboah and Kwabena Amankwaah Addae-Marfo with support from members of the UGSoL alumni moot court team. Ann Aseye Ama Donya served as the coordinator in her capacity as Head of the External Competitions Committee for the Law Students’ Union at the University of Ghana School of Law.

The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is the world's largest and most prestigious moot court competition, with participants from roughly 700 law schools in 100 countries and jurisdictions. The Competition is a simulation of a fictional dispute between countries before the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. One team is allowed to participate from every eligible school. Teams prepare oral and written pleadings arguing both the applicant and respondent positions of the case.

The 2026 Jessup hypothetical case centres on evolving issues of international law, including the right of intervention in proceedings before the International Court of Justice; the rights of indigenous peoples regarding rare earth minerals discovered on their land; the scope, identification and application of general principles of law recognised by civilised nations; and the extent of immunity afforded to state owned enterprises under international law. The exposition of these developing issues demanded exceptional diligence, skill and ingenuity in legal reasoning and advocacy from the competing teams.

The University of Ghana School of Law team extends its greatest appreciation to the entire administration of the University of Ghana School of Law, particularly the Dean, Prof. Peter Atudiwe Atupare, faculty, coaches, and members of the UGSoL alumni moot court team for their guidance and support throughout the competition.

Hearty congratulations to the victorious University of Ghana School of Law!!