Young Entrepreneur of the Week: Yorm Ama Abledu
Welcome to our blog series dedicated to identifying and celebrating the pathfinders of tomorrow. The YEWGlobal Blog publishes success stories and interviews of selected individuals who have succeeded tremendously by using their creative minds, life skills, educational background, and opportunities to beat deteriorating systematic behaviours. In this inaugural article, we embark on a journey to explore the inspiring stories of an intelligent rising star.
In the jural scene dominated by consummate professionals, one admirable young lawyer sticks out as a beacon of justice and inspiration, beyond compare.
Meet Yorm Ama Abledu, a successful young lawyer whose brilliance lights the legal air and has soared her to greater heights.
Yorm Ama Abledu’s journey to a formidable force is a testament to the power of determination and passion. She is a prominent legal academic at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA Law School) and a Senior International Attorney at Centurion Law Group. Without a shadow of a doubt, Yorm has proven she is not just a pretty face; in halls of learning, she thrives. She has remarkable expertise that cuts across the various scopes of law such as corporate law, energy, mergers and acquisition, capital markets, corporate governance, and company secretarial services. With intellect that casts a spell, she is well accomplished in navigating regulatory affairs in Ghana and Africa, indeed, beyond the law, her heart yearns to serve the world to make it turn.
Yorm’s zeal and commitment to making a difference in people’s lives through the legal system sets her apart as a rising star. From the moment her legal acumen propelled her passion in advancing many charitable and civic causes, notably her advocacy for diversity and inclusion of women in the energy industry, it was clear she is a woman of steel and substance. With fierce determination in her mighty swell as a Human Right Law and Oil and Gas expert, she has won a total of fifty-seven human rights cases as an Assistant Public Defender under the Legal Aid Commission, where she continues to provide pro-bono services. Her tenacity and legal acumen have earned her accolades within the legal community and a sense of pride for herself and many other young people.
In 2022, with grace and grit, she became the second African and the first Ghanaian female lawyer to win the International Bar Association (IBA) Outstanding Young Lawyers Award. This astounding achievement rewarded her the honour of becoming the president of the African Women in Energy Development Initiative (AWEDI), a star on the Sisters in Conversation Podcast, including chairing several panel discussions on legal matters. Yorm’s journey to greatness began with dreams ablaze. Her heart shone with the passion of wanting to become a lawyer even at the time when she was a little dreamer. Joy and inspiration spark in her when her work impacts young lives. She loves teaching and guiding young minds. In every aspect, she gives her all.
It's been quite an interesting journey, what I would call a mixed bag. - Yorm Ama Abledu
She trained as a corporate lawyer and worked as a Public Defense Attorney for the State. She also worked as a litigation lawyer for about three years before moving into academia. Through daunting trials, she did strive. Yorm’s journey to success was not without challenges. She had her fair share of scepticism and bias early on. Juggling with an administrative workload that comes with teaching and private legal practice is not a walk in the park. However, she never allowed that to deter her, it strengthens her to break barriers and prove her worth.
Interview
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself? For example: (Your name, your educational background, your achievements, basically everything that makes you who you are today?
I am Yorm Ama Abledu, a legal academic at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA Law School) and a Senior International Attorney at Centurion Law Group, a Harvard-certified negotiator firm with significant expertise that cuts across diverse sectors such as Project Finance, Infrastructure Development, Tax, Real Estate, and other noted key practice areas. I am also a corporate lawyer with expertise in corporate law, energy, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, corporate governance, and company secretarial services. I am a seasoned advocate with in-depth knowledge of navigating regulatory affairs in Ghana and Africa. I have exemplified a commitment to advancing many charitable and civic causes, most notably in my support for legal services to the poor. I am passionate about the diversification and inclusion of women in the Energy Industry. I am also certified in Human Rights and Oil and Gas Law from Fordham University and my passion for Human Rights Law was reflected in how I won a total of 57 human rights cases on behalf of several indigents over a 12-month period in my position as Assistant Public Defender under the Legal Aid Commission, where I continue to provide pro-bono services. Last year, I was the second African and first Ghanaian female lawyer to win the International Bar Association (IBA) Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. And since winning this award, I have gone on to become president of the Africa Women in Energy Development Initiative (AWEDI), the star of the Sisters in Conversation Podcast, and chair a number of panel discussions on a variety of topics that are pertinent to the legal community.
2. Now, tell us more about your journey as a lawyer and a professor at UPSA.
It's been quite an interesting journey, what I would call a mixed bag. I trained as a corporate lawyer in one of the big law firms in the country. Immediately after, I worked as a Public Defence Attorney for the State at the Legal Aid Commission in Accra where I continue to provide pro bono services. After full-time work at the Legal Aid Commission, I worked as a litigation lawyer for about three years before moving into academia.
3. Why did you consider taking your career path?
It has been my passion since childhood to be a lawyer and a successful one at that. Teaching also fills me with joy, and the knowledge that so many young lives are being impacted daily by my work motivates me to keep at it.
4. In your opinion, what does it take for one to make it successfully as a lawyer?
3 things: God, a strong support system of friends, family, and mentors, and thirdly, an obsessive knack for excellence.
5. What have been the challenges and benefits of being a young professor and a lawyer in Ghana?
Being a young professor and a lawyer in Ghana offers unique opportunities for personal growth, personal development, and impact on society. However, it also comes with its fair share of challenges that require determination, resilience, and adaptability to overcome. Some of the high points of all this for me have been the opportunity that teaching has presented me to shape and influence the minds of young people, and to contribute to their education and personal development. Engaging with my students daily actually fosters my intellectual and social development, keeping me updated on the latest developments not only in the world of law but in other ways as well. The administrative workload that comes with both teaching and private legal practice has been a challenge for me, but I keep working to find a way around it. And so far, I have been successful.
6. As a young inspiring individual, what would you say drives you to always want to achieve more in life? What are your sources of motivation?
Contributing my quota to making the world a better place, and taking some time to consider my interests and how I might connect them to God's purpose in a way that will glorify him is what drives me.
7. In your opinion, how would you measure success?
For me, success is defined by my overall happiness and sense of fulfilment in life. I measure success by the contentment and satisfaction I find in my life, regardless of external achievements. I also tend to define success by how much of a positive contribution my actions have towards my society.
8. How important is it to you to do what you love and be successful at it?
It is extremely important.
Engaging in activities that align with your passion and interests brings you a sense of joy and fulfilment that positively impacts your overall well-being and happiness. Also, when the going gets tough, it’s the passion and commitment that helps you remain determined and persist against all odds.
Ultimately, the importance of doing what you love and achieving success lies in the personal satisfaction, growth, and impact it brings to your life and the lives of others.
9. What advice would you give any individual trying to embark on a legal journey?
The legal profession requires dedication, commitment, and a genuine desire to serve others. You will need to understand your motivation for venturing into law to make the most of it. Ensure that you have a genuine interest in the legal field. Also, networking is crucial in the legal profession. You will have to learn to expand your network, especially here in Ghana where the legal fraternity is very closely knit. Lastly, Law is a lifelong journey. You will have to be open to continuous learning, staying up to date on new trends and finding ways to face the challenges that arise with each day.
10. Are you on any social media platforms?
Yes. You can check out my IG: @the_yorm and my LinkedIn as well: Yorm Ama Abledu
The team at YEWGlobal wishes Yorm Ama Abledu all the best in her next endeavours. We can't wait to have an update on your success journey.
We hope you enjoyed this week's edition of the YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE WEEK.
See you all next week.