University of the Western Cape (UWC) alumnus Abraham Kromah has joined the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL) as a Junior Counsel.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Kromah will be involved in providing counsel to developing and least developed countries on trade law. Other functions of the ACWL include legal advice and training on WTO law. It also provides support in WTO dispute settlement proceedings. 

Kromah has always had his sights set on becoming an expert in trade law. But he almost missed his opportunity, as he submitted his application to UWC’s LLM programme too late. Professor Riekie Wandrag, Head of Department: Mercantile and Labour Law, agreed to consider Kromah’s application, but advised him that he would not qualify for a scholarship as he had applied too late. “It was financially challenging but I really wanted to do the programme,” he said. 
 

The sacrifice paid off, as the panellists conducting Kromah’s interview for the ACWL position reacted positively when he mentioned UWC’s LLM programme, even comparing it to the World Trade Institute’s prestigious Master of Advanced Studies in International Law and Economics (MILE) programme.

“This was in fact one of the reasons why I decided to go to UWC. I applied for a similar role in 2018 at the WTO itself. But I had a deficiency in my overall understanding of trade law. I was looking for a programme that would fill that void and someone recommended UWC.”

Originally from Liberia, Kromah was the first candidate from this country to attend UWC’s programme. He is now living in Switzerland where he hopes to grow in his new role so that he can excel in the field of trade law. It’s a dream he has been working towards for more than five years, and one which he said has been made possible by UWC.

“I really see myself having a long career in the field of trade law.”

Prof Wandrag added, “The department is very proud of Abraham’s achievements and wishes him well.”

WATCH: Interview with Kromah below...