Full Speech of the GBA President at Maiden Home coming of the Volta and Oti Bar

April 13, 20025

Honourable Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu,
The MCE of Anloga- Miss Sandra Seyram Kpedor
Council Members here present
The Regional President of the Volta Bar- Mr Moses Ayine Asampoa
Our esteemed Learned Friends,
Distinguished Guests,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.

I bring you greetings from the Commonwealth Lawyers Association that met in Malta from the 6th to the 10th of April. The proceedings, sessions, side discussions, networking were all ample evidence that as a Bar, we here in Ghana have a lot of ground to cover. We met with the Chairperson of the Law Society for England and Wales, Barbara Mills who hails from Takoradi, Ghana, and explored the possibilities of training, exchange programmes, twinning, business opportunities, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and such mutually beneficial engagements, but I cut short my stay because I wanted to be with you.

Thus being here today to witness and be a part of the maiden edition of the Volta and Oti Regional Bars homecoming summit gives me immense pleasure and I deem it a great privilege, one I do not take lightly, to be part of it. When Secretary Andrews Adugu first made mention of this event, my excitement grew as at the Council’s maiden residential retreat in January 2025, Regional Bars were encouraged to come up with their own initiatives and execute same with the Council’s assistance. Regional plans were approved of and today, we are witnessing one such event the Bar Council supports. I would want to congratulate the leadership of the Volta and Oti Regional Bars for this laudable initiative and for organising this significant event, which is timely, important, and endearing as there is no place like home.

Please let us recognize the Executive, the planning committee members and all who made this event possible. This event has come to stay and is a flagship one. You are indeed trailblazers.

Today, we gather to discuss a theme that lies at the intersection of two crucial elements: legal practice and investment opportunities. The theme for this gathering, “Connecting Legal Practice with Investment Opportunities in the Volta and Oti Regions”, is not only relevant to our profession, but also fundamental to the growth and development of these regions.

I am fully aware of the rich human resource these two Regions can boast of. From renown Judges- From Justice Anne Jiagge from the Baeta Family, Chief Justice Apaloo, Dotse, Gbadegbe, Honyenuga, Dordzie, Gaewu to distinguished Bar Presidents, Adadevoh, Kuenyehia, Okudzeto, Tetteh, Nutsukpui, to a Speaker of Parliament, Hon Doe Adjaho. Permit me to ask that we observe a minute’s silence in Justice Sule Gbadegbe’s memory. I also acknowledge all the distinguished hardworking lawyers who hail from these regions including my dear sister-in- law, Mrs Elsie Dickson (nee Kusoati). We mention these names with a sense of pride as we endeavor to conduct ourselves to do like wise for the next generation to emulate.

There is ample proof that these regions are rich in natural beauty, tour sites including your majestic waterfall at Wli, culture which includes your local cuisine, dance, festivals, colourful fabrics and history. The regions are well endowed and are increasingly being recognized as prime areas for economic development. With the right investments, these regions have the potential to become powerhouses in agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, and many other sectors. It is, therefore, both crucial that we, as legal practitioners, understand how we can actively contribute to these regions’ growth by connecting legal services with the burgeoning opportunities that lie ahead.

Recently, when we paid a curtesy call on the Wa Naa in the Upper West Region, in our preparation towards the 2025 Bar Conference in September from the 14 to the 19, a request was made by some of the senior sub chiefs at the Palace that when the Bar is in Wa for the conference, it would be beneficial if the indigenes could be reminded of the usefulness of the legal profession in the development of the Upper West region.This request reminded me of business persons who down play the expertise of lawyers only to find themselves in expensive challenging situations which may cause them their businesses. Such challenges are avoidable when we recognize the invaluable expertise of Lawyers.

Gone are the days when legal practitioners were often seen as passive participants in the business and investment landscapes. Today, however, we recognize that the role of the lawyer is far more dynamic and pivotal. As facilitators of economic activity, lawyers are not only tasked with protecting the rights of individuals and organizations but also with enabling businesses to thrive, ensuring the creation of sustainable opportunities, and growing investor confidence.

One of the key functions that lawyers can perform in this dynamic environment is to provide sound legal advice to investors—be they local or foreign—who wish to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the Volta and Oti regions. Whether in land acquisitions, business registration, tax compliance, contract negotiation, or dispute resolution, the legal profession plays a vital role in ensuring that investments are secure and that businesses operate within the boundaries of the law.

As we think about connecting legal practice with investment opportunities, we must also consider the broader challenges that investors face. Some of the most pressing issues include the complexities of land tenure systems, the challenges of enforcing contracts, and the protection of intellectual property. This is where we, as legal practitioners, must step in, offering not only our legal expertise but also our innovative thinking in addressing the barriers to investment.

We must also recognize that legal practice itself is evolving, and so should our approach to supporting investment. In the digital age, investment opportunities are no longer confined to traditional sectors. The Volta and Oti regions have the potential to embrace modern industries, from information technology to renewable energy, and from sustainable agriculture to ecotourism. This shift opens up new avenues for legal professionals to engage in exciting areas such as intellectual property law, environmental law, and international trade law.

Additionally, as the government seeks to encourage foreign investment through initiatives like the One District, One Factory (1D1F) policy, our role in ensuring the effective implementation and protection of these investments is crucial. Legal professionals in this region must play a critical part in advising investors on how to navigate the regulatory landscape, ensuring that businesses are both compliant and protected. Being at the Malta Conference reminded me of the need for proper Conferencing facilities, sizable halls, accommodation, catering services all rolled into one, This is the oxygen city people will want to experience. Our Bar Center project must happen. We have locked in a good amount in this year’s budget and I will be happy to have some of you assist raise additional funds to make it a reality within record time.

To make these connections a reality, however, we must not work in isolation. We must be united in our resolve to make it happen. The Biblical story of the Tower of Babel is instructive where unity is concerned. As lawyers, we need to look out for each other and be united in our resolve. Celebrate each other’s success. Be transparent, be focused and be ethical motivated. Our efforts must be collaborative. This homecoming event also presents a unique opportunity for all of us—legal practitioners, policymakers, business leaders, and community stakeholders—to come together, exchange ideas, and share best practices promote infrastructure development, create jobs, attract credible persons to do business here to make these regions competitive in the global market.

As the Bar Association, we have an important role to play in shaping the future of legal practice in these regions. We must equip ourselves with the knowledge to make us versatile, such as what the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme seeks to do. The Bar committees some of us will be serving on is very fertile ground for broadening our knowledge, mentoring and networking. Our skills will make us enablers of investment. We must continue to strengthen our capacity to offer not just traditional legal services but also value-added services that help businesses grow and thrive.

In conclusion, the potential the Volta and Oti regions have is extremely immense.Year in year out, we loose opportunities that come our way, however let today be a worthwhile milestone. With a vibrant framework which recognizes the pivotal role lawyers play in the creation of the right investment environment , let us join hands, minds and hearts to make these two regions thriving economic hubs that benefit not only the residents but the entire country. When the history is being told, may it recognize the futuristic efforts made today in the development we wish to experience here. Let it be said that in the year 2025, legal practitioners, rose to the occasion, bringing their collective expertise to bear and they brought significant development to the Volta and Oti Bars. There is excitement in the air. With God, all things are possible. Let’s get it done, to God’s glory.

Thank you for your attention, and I am confident that you will have a memorable event which will bear fruit so much so that nations will find rest here.

God bless.