Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu, spoke at the 2024 visiting scholar program at Center College, Danville, Kentucky, and at the University of South, Sewanee, Tennessee, in the United States of America.
As a visiting professor, he had the privilege to speak at convocations on the theme: Championing a Free Fair and Just Society through Human Rights Advocacy: Chronicles of a Lawyer, Legislator and Activist.
He discussed the intersection between law, lawmaking, law enforcement and activism as guides of social advancement and how his background as a street child, adopted into an orphanage and becoming a lawyer inspired his human rights practice and how he translated human rights activism into legislative intervention.
The legislator took time to discuss the 17 private member bills he has initiated, some by himself alone and others with colleagues. The lecture also discussed the three Bills passed and the one that has presidential assent to abolish the death penalty under the Criminal Offenses Act.
“I spent many years as a street child before finding refuge at the Village of Hope Orphanage, which was a project of Churches of Christ in Ghana. My educational journey led me to graduate from the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law, eventually becoming a member of the Ghana Bar in 2010. Before embarking on my legal career, I was deeply involved in student activism, advocating for change in various aspects of leadership in Ghana for over two decades. Currently, I serve as a legislator, human rights lawyer, activist, author, the 2nd Vice President of the United Nations Association of Ghana, and play key roles in my fight,” he said.
Below is the full speech delivered by Francis-Xavier Sosu.