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First and foremost, I express my gratitude to the Almighty for the opportunity to serve as International President of our esteemed Federation. Our journey began on November 18, 2022, when we conducted our first in-person inauguration in Monrovia, the Republic of Liberia, since the Federation’s establishment. The inauguration was graced by the presence of Pioneer President H.E. Emmanuel Nwobodo, immediate past President H.E. Alfred Eli Kwasi Dei, and several executives such as Hon. Monica Tembo, Vice President-elect, Hon. Abigail Dawn Ampumuza – International Secretary General-elect, Hon. Odira Ezeh- Head of Diplomacy & External Affairs-elect, and Aunt- Ophelia Gotoe Nmah, Director of Finance-elect. Others joined us online. This was a wonderful start to our leadership tenure, and we sincerely thank Honorable Aunt – Ophelia Gotoe Nmah for leading this initiative. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION Our leadership’s first priority was to build networks and partnerships. We accomplished this when the New York Law School agreed to partner with FALAS to establish the Racial Justice Project, which is still underway. We hope that the succeeding leadership will bring this project to fruition. Further, we established a partnership with AFRICA Legal to offer online courses and training to Falasites, a program that is progressing well. We also forged a collaboration with the International Youth Fellowship, resulting in FALAS being represented at the 2023 IYF World Camp in Seoul, South Korea. The International Human Rights Commission has commended our work and has graciously accepted our invitation to serve as one of the Guest Speakers at our 2023 annual conference. Our leadership has also partnered with the Independent Human Rights Group for North Africa to organize a conference on the good governance and development of Africa. This is being led by the President, Ambassador NAJi Moulay Lahsen, who is also one of the guest speakers for the 2023 annual conference. We have collaborated with the Private Sector Investment to organize a Moot Competition on AfFCTA (African Free Continental Free Trade Agreement), which is now in its final stages. Finally, we are partnering with the International Law Students Association to assist with organizing the JESSUP International Moot Competition. Information about the JESSUP Competition has already been disseminated. MEMBERSHIP We prioritized the strengthening and organization of our membership system. This goal was achieved when we launched our first ever Online Membership Portal led by our International Director for Membership, Honorable Oswald. This initiative also served as a way to generate funds for the Federation. We expanded our membership from 22 countries to 40 countries, meaning our leadership brought 15 new countries on board. Furthermore, we organized various WhatsApp groups to streamline the dissemination of information to our members. MAJOR ADVOCACY Our leadership advocated for the release of the Secretary General of the FALAS South Africa Chapter, Mtshali, when his rights were grossly violated due to police brutality. We worked with the International Human Rights Commission near New York and the President of the Independent Human Rights Group for North Africa to secure his release. We also publicly condemned the unjustified war in Sudan and the coups in Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger, and other countries, calling for a return to the rule of law. WEBINARS Our leadership organized numerous webinars aimed at empowering and enlightening our dear Falasites. Among these was the first webinar held by the International Directorate of Students’ Rights Federation of African Law Students on the topic: “The Unspoken Reality; Mental Health and Academic Abuse.” This important program addressed the common issues that students face concerning abuse/violation and mental health. The three-day campaign culminated on February 18th with the theme: “My Abuse Story,” an interactive experience designed to educate young people on the subject matter and provide possible solutions and fundamental changes to these unspoken realities. The speakers were deeply committed to sharing their experiences and ideas to inspire and encourage African students to overcome common barriers and change their narratives. The Directorate conducted several campaigns for Witz University in South Africa, including physical campaigns, social media campaigns, and webinars speaking on the issue of education, under the hashtags, “Education is a right, not a privilege.” The FALAS Students Directorate launched their social mental health department, which included support groups. These groups cater to students’ mental health needs more intimately and actively, covering areas such as physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and depression and suicidal thoughts. On International Women’s Day, March 8, 2023, the International Directorate of Students Rights in collaboration with The FALAS female forum, hosted a special program. The panelists, consisting of notable women figures in Africa, discussed the theme “The 21st Century Woman: Excelling and Overcoming Discrimination.” The session aimed to empower women on their leadership or career journey to face all discrimination head-on and excel. On June 9, 2023, in collaboration with LAWSAN University of Abuja, we held a Continental Campaign Against Child Labour, advocating for a world where every child is unburdened by child labor, and education takes priority. In commemoration of World Trafficking Day on July 30, 2023, the Federation of African Law Students, International Directorate of Students’ Rights organized a 3-day campaign against human trafficking. Human trafficking is a major issue in Africa, and we are committed to spreading awareness to all African students to look out for the signs of Human trafficking. OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS We incorporated French and Arabic languages for communication, accommodating FALASITES who are French and Arabic speakers. We also introduced a monthly presidential award series for cabinet members to boost morale and promote the success of the Federation. We successfully held a FALAS talent competition for law students, awarding the winner with a cash prize of US$100.00. We advocated for Falasites to acquire knowledge in the field of law by partnering with a seminar hosted by the Lex Lata Centre for International Law and Comparative Constitutionalism in Africa. The seminar’s theme was “towards a global career in a globalizing world- Options for new and aspiring lawyers.” For the first time, we produced the first edition of the FALAS International Magazine which captured most of

The African Bar Association which was established in 1971 as a professional body uniting individual lawyers and national legal associations in Africa, was designed to be a federation of national legal associations, corporate and unincorporated legal entities, and individual lawyers. While unifying all lawyers in Africa, it has recognized the Federation of African Law Students as the recognised body to unify all law students in Africa in furtherance of its mandate. As the unified student body of all law students in Africa, it is the primary objective of the Federation of African Law Students to serve as a link to law students in Africa to provide opportunities for African Law students, bridge the existing gap,proffer viable solutions to their problems, build a network of outstanding students who who would collaborate towards a common future and ensure that African Law Students are attuned to new realities and global practices. The Federation is also committed to building an emerging generation of young lawyers who are engaged in changing the narratives and adding value to the African continent. In its one year of existence, it has been able to establish meaningful partnerships which have birthed myriads of learning and traveling opportunities for students. Presently in over 30 countries, the Federation has also visited four different countries and hopes to continue the narrative of being the fearless voice of the Legal profession. The Federation of African Law Students is committed to unifying the African voices through the law. ONE FALAS, ONE AFRICA ALL THAT GLITTERS IS FALAS

The FALAS Lifetime Legal Achievement Award is the highest award under the reputable scheme of awards by the Federation of African Law students that could be awarded to any legal luminary on the continent of Africa. The award is as a result of one’s unprecedented impact in the legal industry who is worthy of recognition, admiration and commendation. As one of its first recipients, Dr. Asmah’s recognition comes as no surprise as he has left an indelible impression on the hearts of many young students of the law in Africa. With close to twenty years of experience of the law practice, his area of expertise is property law and real estate law. He is a lawyer in good standing, not just at the Ghana Bar Association but his admirable intellectual acumen has earned him a place in the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association, earning him an incredible international status as a global icon. As a key external attorney, his wise counsel has been harnessed into productive use as he has helped banks and corporates entities record astronomical figures. The bedrock of success in the legal space is mentorship and no one understands this better than Dr. Asmah as he has mentored and provided unfettered support for many law students across the continent. His unflinching support has especially been directed towards the needy but brilliant students whose dream it is to study the enviable law course provides hope for Africa. This feat is one that has sparked several conversations in the legal community of the specimen of a man he is; a generous and a lifetime mentor. He will be remembered as the hero of people’s hearts not just because of his sterling academic prowess and remarkable success as an attorney but also because of his humility and his courage to break down the old order and set the pace for the frontiers of excellence.

The FALAS Lifetime Legal Achievement Award is the highest award under the reputable scheme of awards by the Federation of African Law students that could be awarded to any legal luminary on the continent of Africa. The award is as a result of one’s unprecedented impact in the legal industry who is worthy of recognition, admiration and commendation. Having followed the track-record of excellence and being a figure that represents all that students labor to achieve, Ghanaian legal heavyweight, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye Snr,PhD, the Speaker of the 7th Parliament of the fourth Republic of Ghana is amongst the first ever recipients of the “FALAS Lifetime Legal Achievements Award“. The Rt. Hon. Professor Aaron Michael Oquaye, Speaker of the Seventh Parliament of the Fourth Republic, is a barrister of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, and a senior member of the Ghana Bar. As an academic, he achieved the singular distinction of winning within four years, the coveted International Rockefeller Senior Scholar Award and the Senior Fulbright Scholar Award in 1993 and 1997 respectively. The Fulbright award is considered the highest award in academia. He was a visiting scholar in connection with these awards in London (SOAS), and Virginia (George Mason), USA. He was Head of the Department of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Legon (October 1999-January 2002) and also the Vice-President of Africa Association of Political Science (AAPS) (1997-1999). He has researched and written extensively on good governance, conflict, political education, decentralization, human rights, military intervention in politics, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), rural development, Parliamentary Democracy and gender. He is a keen advocate of the rights of women, including affirmative action.  He is one man who has regularly featured in conferences on gender in this country and abroad. His books and articles have been published in England. Canada, USA, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ghana. His rich experience in African politics has been tapped by many institutions in Ghana and abroad. Prof. Mike Oquaye is an accomplished diplomat, legislator, politician, among others. On the diplomatic landscape, he served as Ghana High Commissioner to India (2002-2004); As a Politician and Legislator, he served as the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya Constituency (2005-2013), Minister of Energy (2005-2006); Minister of Communication (2006-2007) and the Second Deputy Speaker of the Fifth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana (2009-2013). Ghana’s High Commissioner to India His tenure as Ghana’s High Commissioner to India recorded unrivaled achievements which include: Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in Information Technology, a show-piece in Africa; •Ghana Presidential Palace and Office Complex; •Tractors on concessionary terms to revamp agriculture and •One Hundred and Two Million Dollar (USD 102,000,000) facility to Ghana, which had forty eight percent (48%) grant element, twenty five (25) years repayment period, five (5) years moratorium and 0.5 percent interest rate per annum. Minister for Energy As the Energy Minister, he presided over the: •Deregulation exercise •Expansion and maximum application of the Tema Oil Refinery •Unprecedented petroleum exploration. He actually negotiated an signed the agreement with Tullow Oil, which led to the first discovery of oil in Ghana; •Recapitalization of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) was identified and steps intensified to resolve same; •Amendment of the VRA Act, which brought about the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Ghana. This allowed Asogli and other IPPs to operate; •Commissioning of the West Africa Gas Pipeline by President Kufuor; •Signing of Bui Dam Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sino-hydro Corporation of China in September, 2005. Minister for Communications •Ghana and China signed a US$30 million agreement for the National Backbone project; •The World Bank gave Ghana a US$40 million concessionary facility after all the relevant benchmarks had been satisfied in record time; •The Ghana Society for the Blind was provided with the braille computer system with the help of the Government of India. •He was in charge of the initial steps for the divestiture of Westel and Ghana Telecom; •Ghana attained record Teledensity and rural telephony target with Chinese assistance. Parliament of Ghana As a Parliamentarian, he took keen interest in legislation and made meticulous endeavor in detecting minute slips. He made brilliant statements and various comments and contributions which were rich in depth. He served on the Committee on Members Holding Office of Profit, Standing Orders Committee, Committee on Defence and Interior, Committee on Local Government and Committee on Communication. As the Second Deputy Speaker, his evenness and equanimity pleased both sides of the House when he presided. International Relations Having risen through the ranks to become the Speaker of Parliament for the 7th Parliament, Prof. Aaron Michael Oquaye’s aura attracted many distinguished personalities to Ghana and to Parliament House, including the august visit of the first ever sitting Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Speaker Nancy Patricia Pelosi, who was also granted audience to address the House; the Prime Minister of Barbados, Her Excellency, Mia Amor Mottley, QC., MP, who also addressed the House; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and the Speaker of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga (MP), who also visited on the Speaker’s invitation and gave a brilliant lecture on Affirmative Action and Women Participation in Politics. Human Rights As a Legislator himself, Rt. Hon. Prof. Oquaye’s passion for Affirmative Action led him to initiate measures to advocate for women and children inclusion, people with special needs, and gender equality. He has also shown interest in the welfare of the marginalized in the society, including various donations to persons with disabilities and sought the release of a pregnant woman from the Nsawam Female Prisons.  Proceedings The Speaker’s passion, together with the assistance of Leadership of the House have led to the rapid passing of Bills. A number of these attracted considerable public interest. They included the following: Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, The Right To Information Act, Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987), National Road Safety Authority