Lawyers in Ghana on Wednesday elected a new bar president and the first woman to head the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).
Mrs. Efua Ghartey has made a historic moment for the organization, winning with 1,278 votes, and defeating her closest competitor, Agbesi Dzakpasu, who received 1,060 votes at the elections held at Kumasi as part of the GBA annual conference.
A seasoned lawyer with over 30 years of experience, Efua Ghartey had run for GBA president twice before, narrowly losing both times. Her election is seen as a breakthrough moment, as she brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the role.
Victoria Barth, another prominent lawyer, was elected vice president with 1,624 votes, beating Ebenezer Kwaitoo. Barth is well-known for her work at the Ghana School of Law, where she has mentored many young lawyers.
Mrs. Ghartey, co-founder of law firm Ghartey & Ghartey is also a former president of the Greater Accra GBA branch.
In her acceptance speech, she expressed her gratitude and commitment to promoting the interests of lawyers and advancing the rule of law in Ghana. She pledged to make the GBA proud and called on members for their support.
“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 said in her acceptance speech.
Her inauguration is set for November 4, 2024, with outgoing president Yaw Boafo praising her election as a proud and significant moment for the association.
