Historic: Two top women lawyers contest for Bar President, Vice President positions

Two leading women lawyers in Ghana are contesting in the 2024 Ghana Bar Association (GBA) presidential and vice-presidential contest and the Association could make history by electing the two outstanding legal practitioners in their upcoming election on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.

For the first time, two women are vying for the top leadership positions within the Bar, potentially marking a historic moment for the Association.

Mrs Efua Ghartey, a seasoned lawyer of over 30 years standing at the Bar and an extensive track record of service to the GBA, is running for National President for the third time.

Her previous attempts were lost narrowly to Mr Tony Forson, the immediate past president of the GBA, and Mr Yaw Boafo, the current National President, with razor-thin margins of 67 and 65 votes, respectively.

Mrs Ghartey, undeterred by these setbacks, has spent the last six years consistently voicing her intention to lead the GBA.

Many believe that her perseverance, combined with her advocacy for women’s rights, makes her the favourite in this election. A victory for Mrs. Ghartey would represent a shift towards a more progressive Bar.

Running alongside her for the position of National Vice President is Mrs Victoria Barth, another highly accomplished legal professional. Known for her stellar academic career at the Ghana School of Law, where she has mentored and taught many young lawyers.

Mrs Barth’s candidacy has garnered significant support, especially from the younger members of the Bar. She was also a key part of the legal team that represented President Nana Akufo-Addo during the 2021 election petition, further solidifying her legal prowess and reputation.

“Should the GBA elect both Mrs Ghartey and Mrs Barth to these top positions, it would mark a momentous occasion, breaking the Association’s previous male-dominated leadership structure.

“This outcome would also send a powerful message of progressiveness and inclusivity, especially in light of the recent passage of the Affirmative Action Act under the Akufo-Addo administration,” a leading member of the Bar told Asaase Radio on condition of anonymity.

“Electing these two accomplished women could signal a transformative era for the Bar, paving the way for more representation of women in leadership within the legal community,” the senior member of the Bar added.

As the legal fraternity anticipates the results of the 11 September 2024 elections, the possibility of making double history remains an exciting prospect.

All eyes will be on the GBA as its members cast their votes, potentially steering the association toward a future that reflects the diversity and dynamism of Ghana’s legal landscape.

Background

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA), a professional association of lawyers in Ghana, will elect its next president at its 2024 annual general conference which will take place at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) from Monday, 9 to Friday, 13 September 2024.

Themed: “Peaceful, Fair and Transparent Election; The Key to Sustainable Democracy,” the 2024 annual general conference will be the last to be presided over by the outgoing GBA president, Yaw Acheampong Boafo who after serving as the national secretary of the GBA, got elected at the 2021 Bar conference as national President for a three-year term.

Yaw Acheampong Boafo took over the leadership of the Bar Association from Anthony Forson Jnr after he exited office having served a full three-year term without seeking re-election.

Yaw Acheampong Boafo beat Efua Ghartey, by 605 votes (52.83%) to 540 votes (47.16%) in the election held as part of the 2021 annual Bar conference which was held at the Fountain Gate Chapel, Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region.

Three years on, Afua Ghartey is making a return bid for the GBA presidency. Her main contender this time round is Agbesi Kwadzo Dzakpasu, who is a nine-year junior to Efua Ghartey. Mrs Ghartey was called to the Bar in 1991 as compared to Mr Agbesi Kwadzo Dzakpasu, who was called to the Bar in the year 2000.

Reporting by Wilberforce Asare in Accra

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