The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) held its 2025 mid-year conference at the Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on Saturday, April 26, to reaffirm its steadfast commitment to justice, the rule of law, and national development. under the theme “Expanding the Role of the Legal Professional in National Development: Positioning the GBA as the Fulcrum,” the association made powerful declarations on pressing national issues ranging from judicial independence and illegal mining to the Bawku conflict and electoral integrity.
In a resounding call for transparency and due process, the GBA addressed the recent suspension of the Chief Justice, describing it as unconstitutional. According to the association, the President’s action under Article 146(10) of the 1992 Constitution lacks the required regulatory backing as stipulated by Article 296. The Bar Association,therefore, called for the immediate revocation of the suspension, theenactment of clear regulations governing the impeachment of superior court justices, and the public release of the prima facie decision that led to the Chief Justice’s suspension.
Adding to this, the GBA urged the withdrawal of a directive issued by the Acting Chief Justice concerning the assignment of courts and the scheduling of newly filed cases. The Association emphasized the importance of technology in judicial administration and called for a more efficient, transparent digital system to enhance case management.
In a stern warning, the GBA also denounced politically charged,unsubstantiated statements aimed at undermining the independence of the judiciary. It affirmed its readiness to protect the sanctity of the judicial process through all lawful means, underscoring its role as a defender of democratic governance.
The Association condemned illegal mining, galamsey, and its devastating effects on Ghana’s environment, water bodies, and public health. The GBA called for decisive and sustained national action and urged the Judiciary to prioritize and expedite galamsey-related cases to ensure swift and fair punishment for offenders.
Turning attention to the prolonged and violent Bawku conflict, the GBA praised ongoing mediation efforts, particularly the involvement of traditional authorities such as the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The Association emphasized the role of chiefs in fostering dialogue and reconciliation, and pledged its full support for constitutional and legal initiatives aimed at restoring lasting peace in the area.
The conference also addressed a significant democratic concern the lack of parliamentary representation for the people of Ablekuma Northfollowing the December 7, 2024, elections. The GBA called on the Electoral Commission and the relevant security bodies to urgently complete the collation and declare the constituency’s parliamentary results to safeguard the people’s right to representation.
In all, the 2025 Mid-Year Conference of the Ghana Bar Association marked a bold reaffirmation of the legal fraternity’s duty to uphold justice, defend democratic values, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s progress. The Association’s declarations reflect a deep understanding that legal professionals are not mere bystanders in the nation’s development but active guardians of its Constitution and conscience.
