The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has rejected recent media reports suggesting that it failed to invite President John Dramani Mahama to its 2025 Annual Conference and accord him the prominence traditionally given to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in previous years.
The National President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, and National Secretary, Kwaku Gyau Baffour, the GBA described the allegations as “false, misleading, and a misconception of facts.”
The controversy, which has circulated in some publications and public commentary, centres on claims that the GBA overlooked President Mahama in its preparations for this year’s event in Wa, Upper West Region, while instead extending an invitation to the Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales.
The Association has firmly denied the claims and moved to set what it calls “the record straight.” According to the GBA, President Mahama was formally invited to the conference and has already accepted to participate as the Guest of Honour.
The Association explained that an initial informal invitation was extended to the President as far back as March 2025, when members of the Bar Council paid a courtesy call on him. This was followed by a formal invitation letter, dated July 21, 2025, which the Presidency received on July 29.
The GBA subsequently received an acceptance letter from the Office of the President dated August 1, 2025, with reference number OPS 311/25/2817, confirming President Mahama’s attendance.
The Association clarified that its practice has always been to issue early notices of its annual conferences to members while awaiting responses from high-profile invitees, including the sitting President. It stressed that this year’s approach was no different from past years.
“In line with the practice of the GBA relative to publication of notices of its Annual Conference, an initial publication of the notice for this year’s Annual Conference was done at a time when the Association had not received a response to the invitation extended to the President of the Republic”.
GBA National President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, and National Secretary, Kwaku Gyau Baffour
President’s Confirmation
Once confirmation was received from the Presidency, the GBA issued an updated notice stating that “this year’s Conference shall be under the distinguished patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, as Guest of Honour.”
This revised communication, the Association noted, was circulated to all members with active e-mail addresses on August 8, 2025.
On the issue of inviting international representatives, particularly the Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales, the GBA dismissed suggestions that this reflected any attempt to sideline the President.
The Association explained that collaboration with foreign legal bodies has long been part of its tradition. It recalled that the Bar Council of England and Wales had also participated in its 2022 Annual Conference held in Ho, Volta Region.
In addition, the GBA has consistently invited international partners, including the African Bar Association, the International Bar Association, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Sierra Leonean Bar Association, the Law Society of Kenya, the Law Society of England and Wales, and the American Bar Association, among others.
The Association reiterated that its actions are guided by a spirit of professional cooperation and not partisan considerations.
“The GBA will not do anything to undermine the authority and dignity of the office of the President of the Republic of Ghana, as it is a non-partisan Association. The GBA is an association of Ghanaian lawyers, and its leadership’s fidelity is to the Constitution of Ghana, other laws of Ghana, and the association’s constitution.”
GBA National President, Mrs. Efua Ghartey, and National Secretary, Kwaku Gyau Baffour
This year’s conference, to be hosted in Wa, is expected to bring together lawyers, judges, academics, and international guests for deliberations on contemporary legal issues, the development of the justice system, and professional ethics.
The President’s participation, the Association underscored, reflects not only respect for the highest office of the land but also continuity in the longstanding tradition of inviting sitting Presidents as Guests of Honour.
By addressing the matter publicly, the GBA appears determined to quell speculation that its leadership may be politically selective in extending courtesies to heads of state.
The Association stressed that the processes leading to this year’s conference were consistent with its established procedures and that suggestions of bias were unfounded.
With President Mahama confirmed as the Guest of Honour, the Wa conference will also be marked by the participation of the Bar Council of England and Wales, among other partners, underscoring the international character of the annual gathering.
For the GBA, the controversy has provided an opportunity to reaffirm its non-partisan mandate and its commitment to uphold the Constitution while engaging constructively with both local and international legal communities.
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