Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has called on young law students and future public leaders to look beyond classroom education and develop a deeper understanding of power, positioning, and influence in both law and politics.
He made the call during the 2026 Law Students’ Network (LSN) Leadership and Law Series held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the ISSER Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon. The event was held under the theme, “Beyond the Classroom: Winning in Law and Politics”.
Mr. Awuku, who is also a former National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), emphasised that academic qualification alone is not sufficient for success in public life.
According to him, while the classroom provides structure, discipline, and foundational knowledge, it does not fully prepare students for the realities of professional and political life.
“The classroom is necessary, but it is not sufficient. It gives us knowledge and discipline, but it does not always prepare us for the real world,” he said.
Mr. Awuku cautioned that many young professionals experience their first major shock after school due to a gap between academic training and practical realities, stressing that success is shaped by more than intelligence.
He explained that awareness, positioning, timing, and an understanding of how systems operate are key determinants of influence and achievement.
Drawing on philosophical references, he cited Aristotle’s view that politics represents the highest form of human association, where collective decisions are made about how societies function. He also referenced Niccolo Machiavelli, noting that power is sustained not only by principle but also by strategy and a realistic understanding of how systems operate.
“Politics is participatory, not observational,” he stated, adding that influence is often shaped by structures that operate beyond formal settings.
Mr. Awuku further observed that in both law and politics, outcomes are not determined solely by academic excellence. He argued that two individuals with similar qualifications can experience very different career trajectories depending on their ability to position themselves within systems of opportunity.
“It is not always about who is smarter, but who understands how to position themselves within systems of opportunity,” he noted.
He added that in legal practice, success is not only about knowledge of cases and statutes but also about presentation, timing, judgment, and the ability to interpret situations beyond written law. Similarly, in politics, he said influence depends on presence, trust, networks, and relationships built over time.
Mr. Awuku stressed that education without proper positioning often leads to frustration, even for highly qualified individuals.
“You can be educated, but if you are not well positioned, you may end up more frustrated than those who are less educated,” he said.
He urged the students to begin building awareness of institutional dynamics early in their careers, noting that decisions are often influenced long before they are publicly announced. According to him, understanding this reality is critical for personal and professional advancement.
He further highlighted three key factors, personal value, positioning, and timing, as essential for success, stressing that being correct is not enough unless it is expressed at the right time and in the right environment.
“In law and politics, being right is not always enough. You must be right at the right time, in the right space, and in front of the right people,” he emphasised.
Mr. Awuku also touched on the growing role of perception and digital presence, noting that in today’s interconnected world, influence is shaped by both physical and online visibility. He advised students to be mindful of their consistency, clarity, and public image, as these factors significantly affect how they are perceived.
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