In a momentous achievement for inclusivity in Ghana’s legal profession, Juventus Duorinaah was called to the Bar on Friday October 11, 2024, becoming the country’s first deaf lawyer.

Hailing from WA in the Upper West Region, Duorinaah’s journey defies barriers, serving as a beacon for the deaf community and people with disabilities across Ghana.

Juventus Duorinaah becomes Ghana’s first deaf person to be called to the BAR

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in WA, Duorinaah began his schooling at the WA School for the Deaf before advancing to the Senior High Technical School for the Deaf (SHTSD), where he graduated in 2007 after passing his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Undeterred by challenges, he pursued higher education at the University of Ghana (UG), earning a First Class Honours degree in Sociology and Political Science.

To deepen his expertise, Duorinaah studied abroad at Cardiff University’s School of Law and Politics in the United Kingdom, obtaining a Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights Law.

Upon returning to Ghana, he completed another LLM at UG before tackling the rigorous six-year Professional Law Course at the Ghana School of Law. The institution provided crucial support, fully funding a sign language interpreter throughout his studies to ensure accessibility.http://www.blackenterprise.com

Call to the Bar and Historic Milestone

Duorinaah was among 777 new lawyers sworn in by the General Legal Council of Ghana during a ceremony at the Accra International Conference Centre on October 11, 2024.

His success marks a pivotal step forward, challenging stereotypes about deafness and highlighting the need for inclusive education and professional opportunities.

As Director of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf, he has long advocated for greater societal inclusion of deaf individuals, and this accomplishment amplifies his voice in legal advocacy.

Future Aspirations

Reflecting on his milestone, Duorinaah described it as “like a dream,” emphasizing his commitment to empowering the deaf community.

He aspires to become a judge, focusing on enhancing justice delivery and educating deaf Ghanaians about their rights. Currently, he mentors young deaf students pursuing law, aiming to inspire a new generation of barrier-breakers.

Duorinaah’s story underscores resilience and systemic support’s role in fostering diversity in Ghana’s legal field, proving that determination can rewrite possibilities for marginalized groups.

President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Beijing on Saturday for a three-day state visit at the invitation of President Xi Jinping, centering on the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women to promote gender equality.

As African Union Champion for Gender and Development, Mahama will participate in the October 13-14 summit and hold bilateral talks to enhance economic ties, including potential pacts on infrastructure, mining, and a $30 million grant for a Ghanaian market.

A section of Ghanaians welcoming the president of Ghana

The visit underscores Ghana’s efforts to align African and global sustainable development goals amid strong bilateral trade exceeding $11 billion last year.

Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci ignited Lagos with her ambitious attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest pot of jollof rice ever cooked. The event, dubbed the Gino World Jollof Festival, transformed Eko Hotel and Suites into a vibrant hub of Nigerian culture, drawing over 20,000 registered attendees, celebrities, and food enthusiasts.

Baci, already a global sensation for her 2023 record-breaking 93-hour and 11-minute cooking marathon, promised a “robust and hygienic” dish that would showcase the authenticity of Nigerian jollof rice on an unprecedented scale.

The vision conceived nearly two years ago, came to life with a custom-made giant pot measuring six meters in width and height, boasting a total volume of 22,619 liters—filled to 80% capacity for the cook-off. The recipe called for an astonishing 250 bags of rice (approximately 264 kg), along with generous portions of goat meat, Gino seasoning, garlic, ginger, fresh thyme, rosemary, curry, and other spices to ensure that signature smoky, spicy flavor.

Baci personally oversaw the preparation, starting with a thorough cleaning of the massive pot—climbing inside to scrub it herself for hygiene assurance. Before lighting the flames, she led an emotional prayer session with Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre, blessing the endeavor.

The festival, originally planned for Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, was relocated to Eko Hotel due to overwhelming demand and logistical needs. Sponsored by the seasoning brand Gino, it featured live music, cultural displays, and free entry, turning the event into a full-blown celebration of West African culinary heritage. Guinness World Records sent official well-wishes via social media, with adjudicator Mark McKinley present to verify the attempt.

The cooking kicked off amid high excitement, with Baci and her team pouring in huge quantities of ingredients under the watchful eyes of the massive crowd. Social media buzzed with live updates: fans shared photos of the steaming pot, the sea of attendees, and Baci’s hands-on involvement. Celebrities like fashion designer Veekee James, content creator Tomike Adeoye, and influencer Enioluwa joined the festivities, amplifying the electric atmosphere.