A new book on the career, achievements and family life of Her Ladyship Justice Prof. Henrietta Joy Mensa-Bonsu, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, will be launched at the University of Ghana, Legon on Thursday December 8, 2022.

Titled Joy: A Biography of Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu, the publication represents different spectrums in the illustrious public and international service of the former Law Professor of the University of Ghana who also served as the President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.

From her interventions in the Ayawaso West Wuogon Committee to her membership of the National Reconciliation Committee and her tenure as the Director of the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, the 412-page biography provides anecdotes including behind-the-scene insights into topical developments of our country and time.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/ecowas-supports-henrietta-mensa-bonsu-for-icc-judge/

A fascinating feature of the biography rotates around Henrietta’s ability to balance her professional activities with the demands of her family life and her supportive relationship with her husband, Dr. Kwaku Mensa-Bonsu.

For example, she actually abandoned a doctoral programme at Yale Law School because the family back home in Ghana needed her.

In his foreword to the book, Nana Dr. SKB Asante, Omanhene of Asokore Traditional Area in Ashanti said that the stellar performance of Professor Mensa-Bonsu as a scholar provides sufficient justification for the publication of this biography. “However, this book offers a lot more than a record of scholarly excellence. The biography recounts her national and international recognition through appointment to several bodies, such as Ghana’s representative on the OAU Commission of Eminent Jurists on the Lockerbie case.”

https://www.myjoyonline.com/government-rejecting-portions-of-ayawaso-report-does-not-question-our-competence-prof-mensa-bonsu/

Nana Dr. SKB Asante who also served as the President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, stated that the riveting accounts of her tenure as a member of the National Reconciliation Commission and her position as Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General of UNMIL in Liberia “present entirely different aspects of our heroine’s life story; namely, hands-on exposure to the formidable challenges of nation building in the trenches, far removed from the cloister of an ivory tower.”

He recalled how Prof Mensa-Bonsu contributed to re-establishing the institutions of the rule of law, adding that she saw international service not from the charmed offices of international organisations located in Washington, New York or Geneva, but in unstable Liberia, where the environment was fraught with danger and chaos.

The biographer of “Joy,” Kofi Akpabli pointed out that besides all her later achievements, Professor Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu was one of the first two females to graduate with first class honours from the Legon Law Faculty, though she was married and expecting a baby at the time. Akpabli describes the heroine as a rare species of a Ghanaian whose sacrifices and achievements make a strong case for the re-positioning of the African woman.

https://www.myjoyonline.com/president-akufo-addo-swears-in-supreme-court-justices-mensa-bonsu-and-yoni-kulendi/

Publishers of the book, Excellence Printing and Publishing (E.P.P) express delight at successfully undertaking the major publishing project.

The Director of Events at EPP, Mrs. Emma P. Wurah said, “We recognise the significance of Auntie Henrietta’s works and we consider the publication of ‘Joy’ as a landmark in our corporate journey at EPP.”

“Joy: A Biography of Prof. Henrietta Mensa-Bonsu” will be launched at the ISSER Conference Hall by Prof Jonathan Narh Ayertey, Chairman of Council, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya.

Date: Tuesday, 8th December, 2022.
Time: 5:30 pm
Venue: ISSER Conference Hall, University of Ghana.