The first person from Zuarungu, capital of the Bolgatanga East District in the Upper East Region, to become a lawyer, Dr Dominic A. Ayine, was called to the bar 25 years ago. Today, marks 25 years ago when Zuarungu, an ancient capital of the Upper East Region produced its first lawyer.
Dr Dominic A. Ayine has been an inspiration for many people from not just the Zuarungu area but the whole of the Upper East Region. His feat inspired and challenged many young people to also reach for their dreams notwithstanding their underprivileged backgrounds.
To mark the day, Dr Ayine wrote: “Celebrating 25 years of my call to the Ghana Bar after many years of dreaming of becoming a lawyer. God made it possible using his revered messengers and angels, the late Rev. Fr. James Browne and Cardinal Dery of blessed memory. Through them I became Zuarungu’s first Lawyer, it’s first Member of Parliament and its first Deputy Attorney General. Join me in thanking God for His mercies!!”
He became Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga East in January 2013. He was reelected in 2016, and running for the seat again this year.
Biography
When he was appointed Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice in 2013, the Ministry wrote his biography as:
Dr. Ayine is a senior barrister and solicitor of the Superior Courts of Ghana with 17 years[ in 2013] of professional experience.
He has active practice and extensive experience in trade and investment law, commercial law and natural resources law.
Dr. Ayine had his Bachelor of Law at University of Ghana (LLB, 1993), Qualifying Certificate in Law (QCL) at Ghana School of Law (1995), Masters of Laws (LLM) at University of Michigan Law School, USA (1998), Master of the Science of Law (JSM) at Stanford University Law School, USA (2003), Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) at Stanford University Law School, USA (2006). He was admitted to the bar in 1995.
In his professional law practice, Dr. Ayine worked at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa and Mate Legal Associate (February 1997- November 1998), Director, co -founder and shareholder of General Law Consult (March 1998- July 2001), and Managing Partner of Ayine and Felli Law Offices (2009-date).
In Academia, Dr. Ayine has had different teaching assignments ranging from International Trade and Investment Law, Natural Resources Law to Environmental Law at University of Ghana and Stanford University, USA. In his non-teaching assignments, Dr. Ayine has been rapporteur to Committee for the Revision of Laws Governing the University of Ghana- Researched and drafted current University of Ghana Bill and Statutes to be approved by University Council
Dr. Ayine has served on several Boards including the Board of the School of Allied Health Sciences, Tariff Advisory Board of the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Ghana, Ministerial Tender Review Board of the Ministry of Housing and Water Resources of Ghana.
Dr. Ayine has consulted for public and private sector organizations in Ghana and abroad including the Government of Ghana, International Finance Corporation (IFC), USAID, Oxfam International, ChristianAid, Amnesty International, Liberia Ministry of Commerce and Industry/Liberia Better Business Forum, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana in the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Government of Ghana and European Union, Ghana Integrity Initiative/GTZ (2007), and World Bank/Ministry of Roads and Transport, Ghana (2001) in the areas of international trade law, natural resources law, company law and human rights.”
Since then, Dr Ayine has clearly distinguished many other endeavours. We congratulate him on his silver anniversary.
