GBA 2024 National Election: Who wins what?

Today, the Ghana Bar Association(GBA) will elect a new set of national officers to steer its affairs for the next three(3) years.

Among the positions up for grabs are President, Vice President, National Secretary, Organising Secretary, Public Relations Officer, and Assistant Public Relations Officer.

However, it's only two of the positions that are being strongly contended since the others only have unopposed candidates.

The office of the President is being contended by Mr. Agbesi Dzakpasu and Madam Efua Ghartey while Mr Ebenezer Kwaitoo is battling it out with Miss Victoria Barth for Vice President.

For the unopposed positions, there is the National Secretary which is being contended by Mr Kwaku Gyau Baffour who is the incumbent. At the same time, Mr Aurelius Awuku vies for the Organising Secretary.

Further, Mr Saviour Kludze is contending unopposed to maintain his position as National Public Relations Officer while Lawrencia Adika vies for Assistant National Public Relations Officer.

This year’s election will be held virtually at exactly 11:30 am and end at 3: 30 pm.

Check out the profiles of some aspirants.

Agbezi Kwadzo Dzakpasu

He won an election at the 2022 Greater Accra Regional Congress of the Association with a massive 84.79% and became its president.

Before being elected as the Regional Bar President, Mr. Agbezi served as Appeals Committee Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Agbesi holds an LLM (Banking and Finance) from the London School of Economics and Political Science ( LSE) (2003) and an LLB from the University of Ghana (1998). 

Agbesi has a particular interest in banking and finance, litigation, energy, pensions, real estate, media, and mining. 

He was an Associate at Akuetteh Kudoadzi and Co. until early 2004.

Agbesi completed the Ghana School of Law in 2000 and was admitted to the Ghana Bar the same year. 

He is a member of the Ghana Bar Association and also a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN).

Agbesi is currently the Board Chairman of Pensions Alliance Trust, a leading pensions administrator in Ghana. 

He also serves on the Board of Media General Ghana Limited, owners of TV3 Network Limited, and a number of commercial radio stations.

Agbesi had previously served on the Board of Ghana Grid Company and was the Company Secretary and Secretary to the Board of the Ghana National Gas Company from its inception until February 2016.

Efua Ghartey

Madam Ghartey is a lawyer with a stellar career and a contender for the last Ghana Bar National Presidency position where she polled 47.16% of the valid votes against the outgoing president, Mr Yaw Acheampong Boafo after previously losing her bid at the Koforidua Congress.

She was a two-term (6 years) serving President of the Greater Accra Branch of the Ghana Bar Association.

The 2024 National contest is her third time hitting at that door and thus, she is hoping that her consistent attempt will make the difference.

Her legal career started as a Legal Aid Officer at the Legal Aid Commission after which she joined Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co. as an associate. 

She is a co-founder of the Ghartey & Ghartey, a law firm that focuses on corporate law and litigation.

She has been an active member of the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), holding various executive roles. 

She also served on the National Executive Council of the Ghana Bar Association for a decade. 

As the immediate past President of the Greater Accra Bar Association, she significantly contributed to its growth and development in her six(6) years in office.

Under her leadership, the Greater Accra Bar Association hosted for the first time in 20 years, a Bar conference at Ada.

Madam Ghartey also instituted several fora including an annual forum for newly enrolled lawyers in the Region to provide them with orientation for their job.

Furthermore, she also instituted a free continuing legal education for the Greater Accra Bar.

Reports say her decision to run for President is in response to numerous calls for her to do so. 

Her vision is to strengthen the association's role in promoting the welfare of lawyers, good governance, and sustainable development in Ghana.

Ebenezer Kwaitoo

The experienced Solicitor and Head of the Legal Department at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly seeks to bring his extensive leadership skills and commitment to excellence to the GBA.

With over three decades of legal practice and significant contributions to the GBA, Kwaitoo aims to ensure that the Ghana Bar Association regains its former enviable place in the politics and socio-economic development of the country as well as promoting the welfare of all members of the Bar across all the sixteen regions of the country.

His candidacy follows a rich history of service within the GBA, including his role as Regional President of the Western Region Branch and member of the National Council. His participation in international legal forums and his successful hosting of the GBA’s Annual General Conference in Takoradi are testaments to his dedication and capability.

Mr. Kwaitoo is certain that his filing and potential electoral victory will continue the legacy of influential legal professionals who have shaped the GBA. His commitment to the legal community and public service make him a strong candidate for Vice President.

Victoria Barth

Victoria Nana Ama Barth is a distinguished legal practitioner with over two decades of experience, running for Vice President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) in the upcoming elections. Since being called to the bar in 2002, Victoria has cultivated a reputation for her Corporate Advisory, Civil Litigation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution expertise, positioning herself as a formidable candidate for this leadership role.

Victoria’s legal practice spans Civil Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Corporate Advisory, making her a versatile and well-rounded legal professional. Her expertise in these areas has been honed over years of dedicated service, where she has consistently delivered exceptional legal counsel and representation. As a seasoned litigator, she has handled numerous high-profile cases, setting precedents in areas such as contractual sanctity and equitable property distribution during marriage. Her practice is marked by a commitment to ethical conduct, effective dispute resolution, and the pursuit of justice for all her clients.

At the heart of Victoria's campaign is her unwavering commitment to the principles of integrity, inclusivity, and accountable leadership. She envisions a GBA that is a pillar of advocacy and a proactive organization dedicated to the welfare and advancement of all its members. Her leadership strategy focuses on strengthening the Bar committees to ensure they function efficiently and make a tangible impact on the administration of justice.

Victoria aims to create a dynamic and inclusive GBA that champions justice through ethical practice and fosters professional excellence. She is passionate about driving initiatives promoting excellence in litigation and general legal practice. Moreover, she is determined to support the inclusion and professional advancement of underrepresented groups within the legal profession.