Efua Ghartey: Illustrious Career of 1st Female President Elected by Lawyers in Ghana

Efua Ghartey made history on Wednesday, September 12, when she was elected as the first female president of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA).

Efua Ghartey’s victory marks a significant milestone for the GBA, which has been led by male presidents since its inception in 1957.

The new GBA president garnered 1,208 votes in the election, while her closest opponent, Kwadzo Dzakpasu, secured 1,060 votes. 

Her journey to the presidency of the Ghana Bar Association has been marked by determination and perseverance.

After two previous attempts to lead the Association, which ended in narrow losses to Tony Forson, the immediate past president, and Yaw Boafo, the current national president, by slim margins of 67 and 65 votes respectively, she finally made history as the first female president.

In her acceptance speech, GBA President-elect Efua Ghartey expressed deep gratitude and joy for being elected the first female President of the Ghana Bar Association.

“We shall make you proud. We shall make sure that you never regret this choice. What we ask for moving forward is that not only do you pray for us but also hold our hands,” she said.

“I pledge to work tirelessly to promote the interests of lawyers, to protect the rule of law, and to advance the cause of justice in Ghana.”

Her Education

Ghartey earned her bachelor’s degree in law in 1989 from the University of Ghana, Legon and was called to the Bar on October 4, 1991.

Early in her career, she worked as a legal aid officer, dedicating her time to helping the underprivileged in society.

She would later join the prestigious law firm Akufo-Addo, Prempeh & Co. as an associate, where she gained further experience and expertise in legal practice.

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Efua holds a Certificate in Basic and Advanced Securities from the Ghana Stock Exchange and a Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, awarded jointly by the California State University, Sacramento Centre for African Peace and Conflict Resolution, and the University of Ghana, Legon, Centre for International Affairs.

Efua Ghartey Legal Practice & Expertise

Efua is a Barrister, solicitor and notary public with a distinguished career spanning over thirty years. 

Efua Ghartey is a member of the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) and has held several executive positions in FIDA (Ghana).

She has actively participated in FIDA’s mediation, conciliation and settlement procedures.

Since 1992, she has served as chairperson, member and secretary of several boards and organizations involved in various activities centered on children, education, aviation, export financing, media and publishing.

Apart from serving on several committees of the Ghana Bar Association, she was a member of the National Executive of the Ghana Bar Association for ten years.

When the Chief Justice’s Annual Mentoring Programme was initiated in Ghana in 2007, she was the moderator/ speaker for 10 (ten) years.

Currently, she is the immediate past president of the Greater Accra Branch of the Ghana Bar Association, a position she held for 6 (six) years and was a member of the National Council of the Bar Association for a collective period of 16 (sixteen years).

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Other Leadership Roles

Efua Ghartey served as the Chairperson of the Global Board of the United Bible Societies Worldwide from November 2016 to November 2019, following a seven-year tenure on the Global Board.

In addition, she completed a six-year term as Chairperson of the Bible Society of Ghana, having been a board member for 15 years.

Ghartey also led as the Chairperson of the Board of World Vision Ghana after serving as vice chair and a member for nine years, successfully contributing to these organizations’ missions and growth.

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