KNUST Graduates Ghana’s First PhDs in Legislation: A Milestone in Legal Scholarship

Introduction

In a landmark achievement for legal education in Ghana, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi has become the first institution to graduate PhD holders in legislation. This pioneering event marks Ghana’s inaugural cohort of doctoral graduates in law, focusing on critical areas aligned with national development priorities. Announced on November 29, 2025, by Life Pulse Daily, the graduation of these three scholars—Dr. Richard Obeng Mensah, Dr. Mrs. Delali Adzo Gawu, and Dr. Edmond Nelson Amasah—signals a new era of specialized legal research addressing systemic challenges in tax policy, consumer protection, and sustainable energy governance.

This milestone underscores KNUST’s growing role in advancing Ghana’s first PhDs in legislation, bridging academic rigor with practical policy needs. For students, researchers, and policymakers searching for insights into KNUST law PhD programs, this development highlights the potential of doctoral studies in legislation to drive reforms.

Background on KNUST’s Law Programs

KNUST, traditionally renowned for science and technology, has expanded into legal studies, establishing robust postgraduate programs. The PhD in Legislation represents a strategic evolution, training experts to tackle interdisciplinary issues like regulatory frameworks for emerging sectors.

Analysis

The significance of KNUST graduating Ghana’s first PhD graduates in law extends beyond academia. These theses address pressing gaps in Ghana’s legal landscape, where policy implementation often lags behind economic growth. By focusing on tax coordination, insurance consumer protection, and renewable energy adoption, the research promotes evidence-based reforms.

Dr. Richard Obeng Mensah: Renewable Energy Governance

Dr. Mensah’s PhD introduces a policy dimension to renewable energy challenges in Ghana. His work identifies legal and regulatory barriers hindering solar, wind, and other clean energy adoption. In Ghana, where energy access remains uneven despite abundant resources, such analysis is vital. Mensah’s findings advocate for streamlined regulations, potentially accelerating the nation’s transition to sustainable power under frameworks like the Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832).

Dr. Mrs. Delali Adzo Gawu: Digital Marketing Tax Legislation

Dr. Gawu’s research confronts longstanding issues in applying Ghana’s digital marketing tax laws. Enacted via the Value Added Tax Amendment Act, 2019 (Act 974), these laws target online advertising revenue. However, enforcement hurdles persist due to jurisdictional complexities and technological gaps. Her doctoral study provides pedagogical clarity on identification and application, offering a roadmap for tax authorities like the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Dr. Edmond Nelson Amasah: Third-Party Motor Insurance Claims

Dr. Amasah examines systemic delays and denials in third-party motor insurance claims under Ghana’s Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683) and Insurance Act, 2021 (Act 1061). His analysis reveals procedural bottlenecks affecting accident victims, emphasizing the need for judicial and regulatory interventions to enhance consumer protection in the insurance sector.

This cohort’s collective focus on legislation PhD KNUST demonstrates how doctoral research can inform Ghana’s revenue mobilization and sector-specific governance.

Summary

KNUST’s graduation of Ghana’s first three PhDs in legislation represents a pivotal step in elevating legal scholarship. Dr. Mensah targets renewable energy regulatory gaps, Dr. Gawu addresses digital tax enforcement, and Dr. Amasah tackles insurance claim inefficiencies. Published on Life Pulse Daily on November 29, 2025, this event positions KNUST as a leader in doctoral graduates in law Ghana, fostering alignment between academia and national priorities like sustainable development and fiscal policy.

Key Points

Practical Advice

Aspiring legal scholars interested in KNUST PhD in legislation can draw actionable steps from this milestone.

Pursuing a PhD at KNUST

Prospective students should hold an LLM or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applications involve research proposals on policy-relevant topics. KNUST’s Faculty of Law emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, recommending prior experience in regulatory fields. Funding options include GETFund scholarships and university stipends—verify via official KNUST portals.

Applying Research Insights

Tax professionals can use Dr. Gawu’s framework to improve digital ad revenue audits. Energy policymakers might reference Dr. Mensah for feed-in tariff reforms. Insurers and lawyers handling claims benefit from Dr. Amasah’s procedural recommendations, reducing litigation backlogs.

For broader application, integrate these findings into professional development: attend KNUST seminars or cite theses in policy briefs.

Points of Caution

While celebratory, users must note disclaimers from Life Pulse Daily: reader and contributor views do not reflect Multimedia Group Limited’s stance. Research findings require peer review and empirical validation before policy adoption. PhD pursuits demand 3-5 years of rigorous study; incomplete theses risk delays. Always cross-reference with primary laws like Act 832 for renewables or Act 1061 for insurance.

Avoiding Misinterpretation

These PhDs focus on legislation analysis, not practice; graduates are scholars, not licensed advocates unless separately qualified by the General Legal Council.

Comparison

Compared to other Ghanaian universities, KNUST leads in PhD legislation. University of Ghana (UG) offers LLMs but no PhDs in pure legislation yet; University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) excels in business law but lacks doctoral output here. Regionally, Nigeria’s University of Lagos has produced law PhDs since the 1970s, but Ghana’s lag underscores KNUST’s innovation.

Global Context

In Africa, South Africa’s University of Cape Town boasts extensive law doctorates; KNUST’s focus on local issues like digital taxes differentiates it, mirroring trends in emerging economies per World Bank legal development indices.

Legal Implications

These theses carry direct implications for Ghanaian legislation. Dr. Mensah’s work supports amendments to the Renewable Energy Act for better incentives, potentially influencing Ministry of Energy bills. Dr. Gawu’s analysis aids GRA in enforcing digital taxes under VAT laws, reducing evasion estimated at 20-30% by IMF reports. Dr. Amasah’s findings could prompt National Insurance Commission reforms to expedite claims, aligning with constitutional rights to fair redress under Article 23.

No immediate statutory changes result from graduations, but citations in court or parliamentary committees could drive precedents, as seen in past GRA tax rulings.

Conclusion

KNUST’s graduation of Ghana’s first PhDs in legislation is a beacon for legal education reform. By producing experts like Drs. Mensah, Gawu, and Amasah, KNUST advances solutions to tax, energy, and insurance hurdles. This event inspires future scholars, policymakers, and seekers of law PhD Ghana KNUST, promising enhanced governance and economic resilience. As Ghana pursues middle-income status, such doctoral contributions remain indispensable.

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