After nine years of burning the midnight candle, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Baba Jamal has finally been called to the bar.
Baba Jamal who is also the Member of Parliament for the Akwatia Constituency, was one of 219 lawyers who were called to the bar last Friday.
He said his journey started in 2006 when he enrolled on the bachelor of laws program at the University of Ghana.
The Deputy Minister said though the journey to become a lawyer has been his long time ambition, “It has not been easy.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Citi News’ Raymond Acquah after an occasion for the commencement of the new legal year at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Accra, Baba Jamal said he went to study Law to enhance his work as a politician.
[contextly_sidebar id=”KYZMsXOyNpGGFG8iS8Ob6TUOf0O5ziXn”]“After I finished my first degree, I went on to do my MPhil in International Politics. When I entered national politics, I realized that there is the need to have some background in Law as a person and I realized that it is also going to enhance my performance as a parliamentarian and a politician. So since 2002 I took the decision that I have to become a lawyer but due to some engagements I couldn’t start so I started in 2006 and I was able to finish(LLB) in 2008.”
School and politics
On how he combined lectures with his busy schedule as a minister and parliamentarian, Baba Jamal said he denied himself a number of things to attain such feat.
“It all also borders on discipline. I had to deny myself many things. I can tell you for the past two years I barely stayed three to four hours a night. If you really want to achieve something, you really work for it and discipline has paid off.”
When he was queried about whether his schooling affected his work as a minister, he shrugged and said, “Never, even the president realized I was doing labour law that is why he took me to that ministry.”
Baba Jamal also said that despite his busy schedule he was “adjudged the most punctual student.”
“…When you check the records, I attend Parliament as much as I can. Like I said, it’s all about discipline—you arrange your time well, make sure you fix your appointments properly like I sometimes leave the office around 10pm trying to finish up with the work for the next morning. I get home sometimes as late as 11 and 12. By 4am, I’m already up and on the move again. So that has been the cycle of my life over the last two years. So I’ve never been found wanting anywhere,” he added.
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonilne.com/Ghana