Managing Partner of Hay & Partner at Law, Hanifa Yahaya, has called for stronger legal empowerment for women, describing the law as a practical tool for problem-solving and social transformation rather than mere litigation.
Speaking on Asaase Radio’s Women in Business segment on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (28 April), Ms Yahaya reflected on her unconventional journey from social work and sociology into law, saying her background continues to shape her client-centered legal practice.
She explained that her early training in social work has made her approach law through the lens of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, rather than adversarial courtroom battles.
“Law is solving problems for people who have social difficulties,” she said, noting that she often prioritises settlement and negotiation. “If there is a way to solve the problem, I will reach out to the other side.”
From Tamale roots to Legon first class
Ms Yahaya traced her journey to her upbringing in a Zongo community in Tamale, where exposure to professional role models was limited but a strong culture of reading shaped her ambition.
She recounted how her academic path moved from Saka Saka Primary School in Tamale to Ghana Secondary School, followed by teacher training college, before she eventually moved to Accra and pursued further studies through extramural classes.
Despite early academic and structural setbacks, she said determination and mentorship helped her progress, eventually gaining admission to the University of Ghana (Legon), where she graduated with a first-class degree in Sociology and Social Work.
Corporate law to courtroom calling
Ms Yahaya also spoke about her time in corporate law at Guinness Ghana, where she gained exposure to corporate governance, board processes and regulatory compliance.
However, she said the experience revealed to her that her passion lay elsewhere.
“When I took up a legal case and felt the adrenaline, I realised litigation was where I belonged,” she said, explaining her decision to move into private practice.
Advocacy for vulnerable women
Now in active legal practice, Ms Yahaya said her work increasingly focuses on supporting vulnerable women, particularly in matrimonial and inheritance disputes.
She described situations where women struggle to afford legal filing fees or lack resources to pursue their rights in court, adding that she often provides pro bono support.
“Sometimes I pay the filing fees, provide transport, and even counsel them through the process,” she noted.
She said such cases highlight persistent power imbalances within households and society, particularly in divorce and property sharing disputes.
Referencing landmark legal developments such as Acheampong v Acheampong, she observed that while Ghana’s constitutional framework recognises women’s property rights within marriage, enforcement remains contested in practice.
“Men are not always happy to share property, and sometimes assets are hidden or disputed,” she said, adding that societal attitudes are still evolving.
Message to young women
Ms Yahaya urged young women to pursue excellence, discipline and faith, while building resilience regardless of their starting point in life.
“Work hard wherever you find yourself,” she said. “If you are a cleaner, do it so well that people notice you. Your next opportunity may come from that excellence.”
She emphasised that women should not limit their aspirations or remain in abusive environments, adding that education, hard work and faith remain critical tools for empowerment.
“Don’t hide behind circumstances. With God on your side and hard work, there is nothing you cannot achieve,” she said.
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