From Wisconsin, Ocran embarked on a distinguished professional career spanning a range of experiences as an academic, national government executive, United Nations civil servant, and a jurist. As an academic, he taught for 20 years as a professor of law at the University of Akron School of Law in Ohio, USA, retiring from there, as holder of an endowed research professorship in law and professor emeritus, upon his appointment to the Supreme Court of Ghana in 2004.
Ocran's professional journey began in Wisconsin, where he pursued a distinguished career that spanned academia, government service, international diplomacy, and jurisprudence. He spent 20 years as a law professor at the University of Akron School of Law in Ohio before being appointed to the Supreme Court of Ghana in 2004.