AMANDLA! WOMEN TO WATCH EDITION
Patricia Mumuni
Partner at ENSafrica Ghana
Why did you decide to study law?
I always wanted to be a lawyer, and I think this was because there were no lawyers in my family. The closest we had to a lawyer was my paternal grandfather, who was a Commissioner for Oaths. I wanted to set the pace, and I did.
What is your proudest professional moment thus far?
Making partner at ENSafrica Ghana. It is the ultimate feat for any legal practitioner in a law firm. It showed me that my effort, hard work and dedication was not only recognised, but appreciated. It felt good.
Looking back, what is one decision/action you would have done differently?
Prior to attending law school, I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Arts from the University of Ghana. Looking back, I would have started law school right after high school. However, I still think my diverse experiences have shaped me into becoming who I am today, and I am appreciative of that.
Share some major professional challenges you have faced, or continue to face as a woman in law.
Aside from being a partner in a very engaging firm, I am a wife, mother and a daughter. It is always a challenge to find a balance between work and family, considering how women are still regarded as the primary caregivers in their homes. I have to make sure my family is happy and satisfied, and I have to be fully present in their lives. At the same time, I must be on top of my game with solving my clients’ problems. Unfortunately, these tasks keep competing for the limited time I have available each day. Juggling these three full-time jobs of a wife, mother, daughter and lawyer is not child’s play.
What are some practical strategies for survival in the legal profession?
The most practical strategy I adopt is to sacrifice a lot of my time. I usually sacrifice some sleep time and work deep into the night, while my family is in bed. It is the best way to keep up with work pressure and to satisfy my clients. I still endeavour to get enough sleep because we need sleep to keep healthy.
I believe that the strength of a leader is in the quality of his/her team. I am motivated by Jack Welch’s quote about developing others: "Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others."