Who becomes the next GBA President?

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA), the umbrella body for all lawyers in Ghana, is expected to hold its 2024 Annual Conference in Kumasi from September 9 to 13. At this conference, it will elect leaders to steer its affairs for the next three (3) years, among other things.

Gradually, the race for the top post of the organization is getting to the top spot where the crowns and apparel will be given to the deserving victorious servants to steer the forth from where the Acheampong Boafo administration has brought it.

Like all its previous elections, the bets are on the top post, the presidency, which is being contended by two persons; Mr Agbesi Dzakpasu and Madam Efua Ghartey.

Is it going to be a kick-one, knock-once victory, or will the continuous, consistent three-time knock soar higher and quell all noises? This week will certainly tell.

This year’s Conference which will be on the theme, “Peaceful, Fair and Transparent Elections: The Key to Sustainable Democracy, “ will have in attendance the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, The President of the Republic, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo among a host of dignitaries.

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.