Historic: Two Women Elected President And Vice Of the Ghana Bar Association

For the first time in over a century history of the Ghana Bar Association, two women have been elected to the topmost positions of the legal prefessionals body in the country as president and vice.

The wife of the Board Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Esslkado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region and a former Attorney-General of Ghana, Joe Ghartey has been elected as the president of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).

Mrs Efua Ghartey after winning the GBA presidential elections held in Kumasi has made history by becoming the first female to serve as president of the GBA.

Mrs. Ghartey, a seasoned lawyer of over 30 years’ standing at the Bar and with an extensive track record of service to the GBA, was running for national president for the third time.

Her two previous attempts ended in a narrow loss to Tony Forson, the immediate past president of the GBA, and Yaw Boafo, the current national president, by thin margins of 67 and 65 votes, respectively.

Undeterred by these setbacks, Mrs Ghartey spent the past six years consistently voicing her intention to lead the GBA.

The election took place at the GBA’s annual congress in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the Association’s history.

Mrs. Ghartey’s election is being hailed as a transformative moment for the GBA, as it ushers in new leadership that is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the legal profession in Ghana.

She polled 1,278 votes to beat her closest contender Agbesi Dzakpasu who polled 1060.

Speaking after her election,  Efua Ghartey, vowed to lead the Association towards a united and progressive future.

She pledged to resolve divisions and end factions within the GBA, emphasising the importance of unity and stressed that the Association’s success depends on the collective effort of all members and called for a shared commitment to advancing the GBA’s goals.

“The Bar has spoken and from this day forward it is a united Bar in service. No divisions, no factions. It is over. It is time that we put shoulders to the plough and work to deliver what we believe should be the bar in progress.”

“This indeed is something new, something novel that the bar for the first time has entrusted leadership to the ladies and I know that with God’s help, we shall make you proud.

“We shall serve you with all our ability and we shall make sure that you will never regret this choice,” she stated.

Another woman, Victoria Barth was elected Vice Presidential for the GBA.

Victoria is seasoned trial lawyer who advocates for the interests of a wide range of clients before the Superior Courts of Ghana. Her practice focuses on dispute resolution through civil litigation and arbitration, providing specialist services on general corporate, labour, commercial and land litigation.

She polled 1624 of the total votes to beat her opponent Ebenezer Kwaitoo who polled 495 votes.