Efua Ghartey, President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), addressed concerns regarding the Judiciary. She urged both the Judiciary and Executive to adhere strictly to the 1992 Constitution. Her comments followed remarks attributed to Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie.
During the GBA’s annual conference in Ada, Mrs. Ghartey emphasized that judicial independence comes with constitutional obligations. The conference theme was “150 Years of Ghana’s Legal Evolution: Transforming the Profession and Driving Its Future with Industry.” It took place from September 13 to 18, 2026, and included members of the Bar, judges, government law officers, industry executives, and traditional authorities.
Notable attendees included former Attorney-General Anthony Forson and keynote speaker Moses Baiden. Mrs. Ghartey referenced Article 128(4) of the Constitution, which guarantees judicial independence. She stated this independence should not allow judges to engage in partisan politics.
Reports indicated some judiciary members communicated they served Executive interests over constitutional ones. She specifically mentioned comments made by the Chief Justice during visits to SSNIT and MIIF on September 2, 2026. The Chief Justice compared institutional performance under different administrations.
Mrs. Ghartey questioned these remarks’ appropriateness for a judiciary leader. She asserted that the GBA must address issues when constitutional boundaries are threatened. Additionally, she cited an unreported Supreme Court decision affirming judges’ need for political neutrality.
She criticized the Judicial Secretary’s response to her concerns as “lacklustre.” Her statements were part of a broader agenda on governance, human rights, and justice administration. The GBA called for bail conditions aligned with Article 14 of the Constitution.
The Association announced plans for a Human Rights Watch Committee focused on politically sensitive arrests. They also pledged ongoing monitoring of the Constitutional Review Committee’s work and urged activating a court-alert application for lawyers.
Regarding illegal small-scale mining or galamsey, the GBA warned that government enforcement measures would be ineffective without consistent application free from political bias. Mrs. Ghartey stressed accountability in enforcing laws related to this issue.
She highlighted welfare initiatives by the Association during her speech. The GBA Welfare Fund has grown beyond GH¢10 million under various committees. A new medical insurance scheme now covers outpatient and inpatient care for members.
Improved death benefits have been introduced along with bar centers constructed in several regions. An address from Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai reiterated concerns about GBA’s relationship with political power on behalf of Dr Dominic Ayine.
Dr Ayine could not attend due to flight cancellations but expressed worries about leadership closeness to political power at last year’s conference as well. His address proposed reforms affecting legal practice including a new disciplinary framework for lawyers under a different arrangement involving the Bar.
He also announced plans for a government-backed Bar Welfare Fund and indemnity insurance schemes for lawyers. In response, Supreme Court Justice Anthony Forson delivered an address on behalf of Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie urging the GBA to maintain its reputation as a non-partisan entity within legal circles.
Justice Forson welcomed progress on new High Court Civil Procedure Rules and acknowledged passage of the Legal Education Act in 2026 but did not directly address Mrs.Ghartey’s concerns regarding comments made by Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie during his visits.
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