By Agnes Ansah, GNA
Accra, April 1, GNA – A private legal practitioner, Lady Gifty Tetteh, has urged young people to prioritise good character and respect for authority as critical foundations for achieving long-term success.
Lady Tetteh, who is also the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of GD Tetteh Chambers, emphasised that while diligence and hard work remain essential, they are not sufficient on their own to guarantee success without strong moral values and discipline.
She delivered the advice during the 60th Anniversary Lecture Series organised by Harrow Preparatory and Montessori School at Abeka in Accra, under the theme: “Sustaining the Legacy of Excellence, Preparing the Next Generation for Global Impact.”
Addressing students, staff, and parents, Lady Tetteh highlighted the importance of nurturing character alongside academic achievement, stressing the vital role of parental guidance and teacher mentorship in shaping responsible individuals.
Sharing her personal journey, she attributed her accomplishments to the combined influence of her upbringing, educational environment, and adherence to core values.
She noted that these factors contributed to her becoming the first and youngest Black woman to establish a law firm at the Middle Temple in the United Kingdom.
Reflecting on her early years as a student in 1983, Lady Tetteh recounted facing significant health challenges but said these did not deter her from pursuing her ambition of becoming a lawyer.
She credited her resilience to the quality of education and mentorship she received from her teachers.
Lady Tetteh further underscored the rigorous academic training she experienced at Harrow, which she said laid a solid foundation for her educational advancement.
This enabled her to continue her studies at the Christian Methodist School and later secure a scholarship to study law in Budapest.
Lady Tetteh encouraged students to actively seek mentorship, noting that guidance from teachers played a pivotal role in her own development and career progression.
She also acknowledged the influence of her parents, stating that their counsel shaped key decisions in her life, including her choice of schools, her pursuit of legal studies in the United Kingdom, and the eventual establishment of her law firm at the Middle Temple.
Emphasising the importance of obedience and respect for parental authority, Lady Tetteh expressed concern over what she described as a growing tendency among some young people to disregard parental advice.
She urged students to value such guidance while calling on parents to be deliberate and firm in raising their children.
In his remarks, the headmaster of the school, John Adjei Benson, commended Lady Tetteh for her achievements and for inspiring students through her life story.
He noted that her selection as a speaker was intended to motivate students to strive for excellence.
Mr. Benson also highlighted notable alumni of the institution, including Lawrence Tetteh, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, former Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, and Baba Sadiq, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria.
Describing the school’s alumni as a source of pride, he said the institution remained committed to building on its legacy to inspire future generations.
Mr. Benson said that the school’s 60th anniversary celebrations would span a full year, featuring a series of engagements with accomplished personalities aimed at motivating and mentoring students.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey