Efua Ghartey makes history as First Female GBA President: Championing Lawyers’ welfare and good governance

Published September 11, 2024

KUMASI, ASH-In a historic and tightly contested election between Efua Ghartey and Agbesi Dzakpasu, Efua Ghartey has emerged victorious. Her election as President- elect of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), makes her the first woman to hold the position in the association’s nearly 40-year history.

Efua Ghartey’s campaign focused on the welfare of lawyers, good governance and prioritising healthcare and improved wages for younger members of the bar. Her message resonated with the voting members, many of whom were drawn to her vision for a more inclusive and responsive GBA.

Her election represents a defining moment for the GBA, signalling a shift towards greater diversity and representation within the association. It is not a personal achievement but also a breakthrough for women in the legal profession, shattering the glass ceiling in a profession often dominated by men.

With this triumph, Mrs Ghartey has fulfilled her decades-long ambition in her third bid for the Bar Presidency. A prominent figure in the Greater Accra Bar who was first elected President of the Greater Accra, she would lead a bar that is rapidly evolving and changing. 

Policies for the Bar: During her campaign, Efua made lawyers’ welfare the cornerstone of her platform, pledging to address critical issues such as health care for members and improved wages particularly for younger lawyers at the Bar. She also stressed the importance of good governance within the GBA, ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making processes. These promises clearly resonated with the electorate.

During the tightly contested election, Efua Ghartey secured 54.24% of the total votes, winning with 1,279 votes. Her opponent, Agbesi Kwadzo Dzakpasu, garnered 1,060 votes, representing 44.95% of the votes, with 19 members abstaining. The total votes cast in the election amounted to 2,358. This decisive victory not only reflected the members’ confidence in her vision but also marked a turning point in the history of the GBA.

With Efua Ghartey now at the helm, the Ghana Bar Association is poised to enter a new era of leadership, one focused on inclusivity, enhanced welfare and advancing the professional development of its members. Her leadership is expected to bring renewed attention to the well-being of legal professionals, while also strengthening institutional frameworks to support the association’s future growth.

Looking ahead: As the legal fraternity enters this new chapter, many are hopeful that Efua Ghartey’s tenure will deliver the much-needed reforms and improvements she advocated throughout her campaign. Under her leadership, the Ghana Bar Association is poised to continue its vital role in shaping the future of the legal profession in Ghana.

Naiza Issifu, a third year student at Mount University Faculty of law contributed to this article.