The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has elected Efua Ghartey and Victoria Barth as the new President and Vice President, respectively, marking a significant shift in the traditionally male-dominated leadership of the association.
The election, held during the GBA’s 2024 annual general conference at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), took place on September 11, 2024.
Efua Ghartey, a veteran lawyer with over three decades of experience, emerged victorious after securing 1,279 votes, representing 54.24% of the valid votes cast. Her opponent, Agbesi Dzakpasu, received 1,060 votes (44.95%).
Victoria Barth, a highly respected lawyer and academic, won the Vice Presidency with an overwhelming 68.87% of the vote, securing 1,624 votes, while her challenger, Ebenezer Kwatoo, managed 495 votes (20.99%).
The election of both Mrs. Ghartey and Mrs. Barth is viewed as a transformative moment for the GBA, symbolizing a move towards a more inclusive and progressive Bar, where women hold key leadership roles.
Efua Ghartey’s Road to Victory
Efua Ghartey’s journey to the presidency has been one of persistence. Having run for the position twice before—losing by slim margins to Tony Forson and Yaw Acheampong Boafo—her third bid has finally culminated in success.
Efua Ghartey’s tenacity and her consistent advocacy for women’s rights have earned her widespread admiration, making her the frontrunner in this year’s contest.
Her victory is seen as a win for the broader movement toward gender equality within Ghana’s legal profession, where women have long sought greater representation in leadership positions.
The Rise of Victoria Barth
Victoria Barth’s election as Vice President also marks a milestone in the GBA’s history. Known for her academic excellence and mentorship at the Ghana School of Law, Barth has been a trailblazer in her own right.
Her role in representing President Nana Akufo-Addo during the 2021 election petition cemented her reputation as a leading figure in Ghana’s legal landscape.
Her candidacy garnered overwhelming support, particularly from younger members of the Bar, who saw her as a fresh and dynamic voice for the future of the profession.
A New Era for the GBA
Efua Ghartey will succeed Yaw Acheampong Boafo, who has served as GBA President since September 2021. Boafo’s term was marked by efforts to ensure peaceful and transparent elections in the country, a theme that carried over into this year’s annual conference, held under the banner “Peaceful, Fair and Transparent Election: The Key to Sustainable Democracy.”
The election of Ghartey and Barth signals a new era for the GBA, with a focus on inclusivity, progressive leadership, and strengthening the association’s role in shaping Ghana’s legal framework.
Efua Ghartey’s presidency is expected to build on the achievements of her predecessors while advancing issues like gender equality, professional development, and maintaining the integrity of the Bar.
Source: InsiderGH.com
