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Efua Ghartey has made history by becoming the first female President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), marking a significant milestone in the organization's history.
Efua Ghartey was elected during the GBA elections held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). She garnered 1,208 votes, surpassing her competitor Kwadzo Dzakpasu, who secured 1,060 votes.
Efua Ghartey's journey to this victory has been long and challenging. Her two previous attempts to lead the GBA ended in narrow losses, first to Tony Forson, the immediate past president, and then to Yaw Boafo, the current national president, by slim margins of 67 and 65 votes, respectively.
Despite these setbacks, Efua Ghartey persevered, and her eventual triumph has been hailed as a major breakthrough for women in the legal profession in Ghana.
In 1994, Efua Ghartey co-founded Ghartey & Ghartey with Joe Ghartey, and she has since amassed over 20 years of experience at the bar.
As the immediate past chair of the Greater Accra branch of the GBA, her leadership and contributions to the legal community are widely recognized.
In her acceptance speech, Efua Ghartey expressed her gratitude and joy at being elected as the first female President of the GBA.
She pledged to protect the legal profession and uphold the rule of law, promising that her leadership would make the GBA proud. "We shall make sure that you never regret this choice," she said, calling for support and unity as she embarks on this new role.
Efua Ghartey also emphasized her commitment to promoting the interests of lawyers and advancing justice in Ghana. Her election has been widely celebrated as a testament to her dedication, hard work, and vision for the legal profession in the country.
Her inauguration as GBA President is scheduled for November 4, 2024. Outgoing President Yaw Boafo congratulated Ghartey on her election, stating that the GBA is "proud to have Efua Ghartey as its first female President" and looks forward to working with her to achieve the association's goals.
Efua Ghartey is not only a distinguished lawyer but also a co-founder and Head of Chambers at Ghartey & Ghartey. She completed her legal studies at the University of Ghana in 1989 and was called to the Ghana Bar in 1991.
Early in her career, she worked as a Legal Aid Officer before joining Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co. as an associate.
Over the years, she has specialized in corporate law and held leadership roles in various organizations, including the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), the Global Council of the United Bible Societies, and World Vision Ghana.
With an illustrious career spanning both national and international legal circles, Ghartey remains a key figure in Ghana's legal community.
Her election as GBA President signifies a new chapter in the association's history, and many look forward to the impact of her leadership.
Explore the life of Efua Ghartey below.
