As part of activities marking the 70th Anniversary of the University of Ghana’s Akuafo Hall, a delegation from the anniversary planning committee has paid a courtesy call on Her Ladyship Justice Professor Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu, a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, to invite her to the official launch of the celebration.
The delegation included Professor Abena Animwaa Yeboah-Banin, Chair of the Anniversary Planning Committee, and Dr. Justice Quainoo, a member of the committee. They explained that, as an accomplished stateswoman, the Committee deemed it important to personally call on Her Ladyship to inform her of the 70th anniversary of the Hall, in which she served as the first female Senior Tutor.
Social circles and “The Garden”
Justice Mensa-Bonsu fondly recalled a long-standing tradition of having lunch at the “garden” area of Akuafo Hall before it was eventually walled off. According to her, the space served as a vibrant intellectual and social hub.
She described how, in her early days, she dined with distinguished scholars such as Professor S.T. Addo of the Geography Department and Professor George Benneh, who later became Vice-Chancellor of the University. As that older generation moved on, she said the social atmosphere gradually shifted to a younger crowd, in what she humorously described as the “Odor Rice era.”
From Volta Hall to Akuafo Hall
Justice Mensa-Bonsu revealed that she was originally a Fellow of Volta Hall but later transferred to Akuafo Hall. She cited the Hall’s regular communal lunches and the need to support a pregnant student at the time as key reasons for her move. She later became the Senior Hall Tutor and left a legacy as the first to assign accommodation to female students.
Her time at Akuafo Hall also coincided with Ghana’s return to constitutional rule, a period that influenced student governance structures. She disclosed that she served as “Speaker” of the Hall’s internal parliament, fondly labelled the ‘Akuafo District Assembly.’
Through what she described as “serious talks” with ranking members from various districts (academic and administrative departments), she said she gained valuable interdisciplinary knowledge in areas such as geography and sociology—fields outside her primary academic focus.
A career beyond the bench
Beyond academia and the judiciary, the Justice also shared her professional journey, revealing that she once lived and worked in Liberia for four years. She further disclosed that she previously hosted a programme on Radio Gold in 1996 under an Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) initiative.
Words of wisdom
Offering advice to the younger generation, Justice Mensa-Bonsu emphasised that “life is what you make it.” She urged students to pursue what they genuinely enjoy rather than chase money, stressing that hard work naturally attracts success.
She also encouraged gratitude, reminding her audience that “what you are now is somebody’s prayer request.” She cautioned against allowing social media and public opinion to dictate one’s life, advising young people not to tempt others beyond their strength and to remain focused on purpose and integrity.
The 70th Anniversary celebration of Akuafo Hall is expected to bring together alumni, students, and distinguished personalities to reflect on the Hall’s legacy and its contribution to national development. The launch is scheduled for March 5, 2026, at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana.
