Disability advocate Andrew Nii Okaikoi receives UG School of Law Legends Award

The University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL) has awarded its prestigious UGSoL Legends Award to Mr. Andrew Nii Okaikoi, a noted advocate for disability rights and founder of the Centre for Disability, Entrepreneurship, and Public Policy (CDEPP), at a brief ceremony held on Wednesday at Cantonments, Accra.

The award, presented by UGSoL’s Communications Lead, Obaa Asaah-Aboagye, celebrates Okaikoi’s significant contributions to disability advocacy, entrepreneurship, and national development.

Mr. Okaikoi expressed heartfelt gratitude upon receiving the award. “I want to thank the University of Ghana School of Law and its management for this honour,” he said.

He encouraged alumni support for UGSoL, noting that the advancement of any alma mater relies on the ongoing contributions of its graduates.

“We will always go back to our alma mater because that is what the Ivy Leagues and all the universities that we all recognise have gone through. So until our support comes, our alma mater will not be where they want to get to,” he stated.

The UGSoL Alumni Recognition Scheme highlights the achievements of outstanding alumni like Mr. Okaikoi, who, through their work, have driven impactful changes across Ghana. UGSoL boasts a distinguished alumni community of accomplished legal practitioners who serve as leaders across both national and private sectors. Their profound societal impact underscores their potential to contribute significantly to the vision and strategic objectives of UGSoL.

The UGSoL Legends Awards specifically aim:

– To identify, recognise, and celebrate old students of UGSoL who have made impactful contributions in their area of work and to national development;

– To inspire alumni members of UGSoL to reach for greater and loftier heights and contribute to national development and the growth of the legal profession;

– To encourage members of the alumni to hold high the banner of UGSoL and to strive to be great ambassadors of the school; and

– To mobilise alumni members in support of the school’s corporate strategy and ambition, particularly the new, ultra-modern multi-purpose building currently under construction.

About Andrew Nii Okaikoi

Mr. Okaikoi is a seasoned advocate with over four decades dedicated to fostering inclusive communities. His journey in human rights began with personal experiences of determination and compassion, ultimately leading him to found the CDEPP, a body that embodies his philosophy of empowerment and justice for all. As the first Board Chairman of Ghana’s National Disability Council, he was instrumental in securing Ghana’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in drafting key legislation, such as the Legislative Instrument for Act 715.

Okaikoi’s background includes studies at the Akosombo International School, Accra Academy, and the University of Ghana, where he earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History and a Master’s in International Human Rights and Administrative Law. He furthered his education at the Wharton School of Business and Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

With an unwavering dedication to entrepreneurship, public policy, and advocacy for underprivileged communities, Mr. Okaikoi continues to shape the lives of individuals across Ghana. Currently, he is pursuing doctoral studies at New York University’s Steinhardt School, furthering his commitment to social impact and inclusive policy.