In a historic moment for the legal profession in Ghana, Efua Ghartey has been elected as the first female President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA). Her election took place during the GBA election held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Ghartey won the election with 1,208 votes, defeating her opponent Kwadzo Dzakpasu, who received 1,060 votes. Her victory comes after two previous attempts, where she narrowly lost to former GBA Presidents Tony Forson and Yaw Boafo by margins of just 67 and 65 votes, respectively.
With over 20 years of legal experience, Efua Ghartey is a co-founder of the law firm Ghartey & Ghartey, established in 1994 alongside Joe Ghartey. She also served as the chair of the Greater Accra branch of the GBA before her election to the national presidency.
In her acceptance speech, Ghartey expressed her gratitude and pride at becoming the first woman to lead the GBA. She vowed to protect the legal profession and uphold the values of justice and the rule of law in Ghana.
“I am humbled and honored to be the first female President of the Ghana Bar Association,” she said. “This is indeed a new chapter for the Bar, and I assure you that we will make you proud. We will work to ensure you never regret this choice.”
Efua Ghartey’s election has been celebrated as a major achievement for women in the legal profession. Her dedication and commitment to advancing the legal field in Ghana have earned her widespread respect.
As GBA President, Ghartey has pledged to work tirelessly to protect the rights of lawyers, strengthen the rule of law, and support the interests of the legal profession in Ghana.
Her inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place on Monday, November 4, 2024. Outgoing GBA President Yaw Boafo expressed his support for Ghartey’s leadership, stating, “We are proud to have Efua Ghartey as the first female President of the GBA and look forward to achieving great things under her leadership.”