–BY Daniel Bampoe
Members of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) rose to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation for their President, Efua Ghartey, after she delivered a stirring address at the Association’s Mid-Year Conference held at La Beach Hotel in Accra.
Ghartey’s speech, delivered to a packed hall of lawyers and distinguished guests, touched on critical matters concerning the legal profession, national governance, and the judiciary.
Her candid remarks resonated deeply with attendees, leading to an overwhelming show of appreciation at the end of her address.
Focusing first on the internal affairs of the Bar, Ghartey emphasized the importance of integrity among lawyers appointed to serve on statutory bodies.
“Lawyers nominated to statutory boards must carry out their duties with utmost honesty and transparency,” she stressed.
She noted that the Bar must always set a standard for ethical conduct across the nation’s institutions.
Turning to national issues, Mrs. Ghartey highlighted the urgent need for stronger action against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
She warned that the environmental destruction and erosion of the rule of law associated with galamsey posed an existential threat to Ghana’s future.
“Increased and coordinated efforts must be made to stop this menace once and for all,” she declared.
On the subject of the judiciary — an area that has dominated national discourse in recent months — Ghartey addressed the controversial ongoing petition for the removal of the Chief Justice.
She lamented the absence of clear procedural rules guiding impeachment processes for judges, citing the case of Adjei Twum v Attorney General, where the Supreme Court had already drawn attention to this gap.
“The lack of clear rules creates uncertainty and arbitrariness, which undermines public confidence in the judiciary,” she remarked.
Mrs. Ghartey pointed out that although the Constitution requires that such proceedings be conducted in camera to protect the dignity and reputation of judges, the situation has evolved due to widespread media coverage and social media discussions.
She posed a crucial question to the audience: “Would it not be better, under the current circumstances, if the Chief Justice waived her right to an in-camera hearing, and the proceedings were made public?”
Ghartey suggested that a public hearing could better serve the cause of justice by ensuring transparency and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process in the eyes of the public.
Her comments were particularly timely, given that the petition for the Chief Justice’s removal and related responses have been widely circulated online, fueling public debate and speculation.
