GIMPA Law School renews partnership with ICC

The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) Law School has extended its partnership with the International Criminal Court (ICC) for another five years through the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The renewal ceremony coincided with the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC. Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Budu, Dean of GIMPA Law School and head of the African Centre for International Criminal Justice (ACICJ), represented GIMPA during the signing, while ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler signed on behalf of the Court. 

Both leaders underscored the importance of this collaboration, which reinforces their mutual dedication to advancing international criminal law and advocating for justice against atrocities like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Initially established in December 2019, the MoU marked the ICC’s first formal partnership with an African academic institution. Over the past five years, this collaboration has paved the way for initiatives that have enhanced international criminal law education, built capacity across the legal community, and strengthened advocacy for justice in Africa.

Dr. Agyeman-Budu expressed his appreciation for the ICC's continued trust in GIMPA’s leadership in international criminal justice. He highlighted the ACICJ's role as a hub of excellence, offering education and training to diverse groups, including African law students, legal professionals, and journalists. He viewed the MoU renewal as a shared commitment to upholding global accountability and the rule of law, particularly in Africa, where these principles are urgently needed.

The ACICJ has had a significant influence across Africa. Notably, in October 2024, the Centre hosted ICC Prosecutor Karim Asad Ahmad Khan for a three-day visit to Ghana. During his visit, the Prosecutor delivered a compelling lecture on "Democracy, Elections, and Impunity," sparking vital discussions on justice’s role in free and fair elections and combating governance-related impunity.

Beyond Ghana, the ACICJ collaborates with institutions like Utrecht University in the Netherlands and the ICC to organize an annual Summer School on international criminal law. This program connects participants with leading experts and practical legal challenges, attracting students, lawyers, and policymakers from across the continent and further cementing GIMPA’s role as a leader in legal education.

Additionally, GIMPA Law School recently introduced a Master of Laws (LL.M) program in International Criminal Law and Justice. This program prepares students to tackle issues of impunity and human rights violations while advancing accountability in Africa. It reflects GIMPA’s mission to develop a new generation of African legal professionals dedicated to justice on the international stage.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, ICC Registrar Osvaldo Zavala Giler lauded GIMPA and the ACICJ for their outstanding contributions to international criminal justice. He emphasized the significance of African partnerships in making justice and accountability resonate more profoundly across the continent. The Registrar reaffirmed the ICC’s support for GIMPA’s efforts to promote legal excellence and foster a network of professionals committed to the rule of law.

The MoU renewal signifies more than just a continuation of collaboration; it represents a strengthened commitment to addressing the complexities of international criminal justice. By focusing on education, advocacy, and capacity-building, the partnership aims to ensure justice prevails, impunity is eradicated, and the principles of the Rome Statute are upheld not only in Africa but globally.

With this renewed alliance, GIMPA Law School is positioned to amplify its influence further, bolstering Africa’s contribution to international criminal justice and playing a critical role in shaping a fairer and more equitable world.