Efua Ghartey has made history as the first woman to be elected president of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), marking a significant breakthrough in a male-dominated profession. Her victory, with 1,208 votes to Kwadzo Dzakpasu’s 1,060, is being recognized as an important milestone for gender equality within Ghana’s legal sector.
In 1994, Efua Ghartey co-founded the law firm Ghartey & Ghartey alongside Joe Ghartey. With over 20 years of experience at the bar and having served as the immediate past chair of the Greater Accra branch of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), her election marks a groundbreaking moment for the organization, which has only had male presidents since its inception.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Ghartey expressed deep gratitude for the trust placed in her as the first female president of the GBA. She pledged to uphold the integrity of the legal profession, saying, “I am humbled and honored to be the first female President of the Ghana Bar Association. This is indeed a new chapter for the Bar, where leadership has, for the first time, been entrusted to a woman. We will make you proud and ensure that you never regret this choice. We ask not only for your prayers but also for your support as we move forward.”
She further vowed to work tirelessly to champion the interests of lawyers, protect the rule of law, and advance the cause of justice in Ghana.
Efua Ghartey’s election has been widely celebrated as a landmark achievement for women in Ghana’s legal profession, a testament to her hard work, dedication, and commitment to the field. As the new president of the GBA, she is set to lead the organization in promoting the rule of law, safeguarding the rights of lawyers, and advancing the legal profession’s standing in the country.
