President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Mrs Efua Ghartey, has called on the government to match its stated commitment to fighting illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, with consistent and impartial enforcement of the law.
According to her, the government’s commitment to ending the menace would amount to little more than rhetoric if persons involved in illegal mining are not held accountable regardless of their political affiliations or influence.
Mrs Ghartey made the call when she delivered the opening address at the 2026/2027 Annual Conference of the Ghana Bar Association in Ada on Monday, September 14, 2026.
She expressed concern over allegations that persons associated with political parties are openly involved in illegal mining while the country’s forests, water bodies and farmlands continue to suffer the consequences.
“The fight against galamsey cannot be selective or partisan. The law must apply equally to all, regardless of political affiliation, position or influence,” she stated.
She urged the government to translate its campaign commitments on illegal mining into concrete action, stressing the need for the political will to enforce the law “without fear or favour.”
“We must have the political will to enforce the law without fear or favour, protect our natural resources and safeguard the future of our country,” Mrs Ghartey added.
The GBA President also used the occasion to raise concerns about what she described as subtle and, at times, overt communications from members of the Judiciary suggesting an alignment with the Executive.
She referenced recent comments by the Chief Justice concerning the performance of a public institution and a comparison with the output of a previous government, saying the development “left much to be desired.”
Mrs Ghartey stressed that while the GBA remains committed to protecting the independence of the Judiciary as guaranteed under Article 128(4) of the 1992 Constitution, judicial officers must remain within the constitutional boundaries associated with their office.
She cited a Supreme Court decision which noted restrictions on the ability of holders of independent constitutional or statutory offices, including judges, to actively take sides in partisan politics.
The GBA President further outlined a series of welfare initiatives being pursued by the Association to improve the professional and personal wellbeing of its members.
She disclosed that the Association’s Welfare Fund had grown to a little over GH¢10 million, describing the financial position as a significant foundation for expanding welfare interventions.
Among the proposed measures is a new medical insurance scheme expected to provide both outpatient and inpatient benefits to members upon payment of a specified premium.
The Association also intends to increase death benefits and introduce measures to facilitate the faster release of such benefits to the legal representatives of deceased members.
Mrs Ghartey said the growing membership of the Bar had also created opportunities to negotiate low-interest facilities for the acquisition of vehicles and houses under mortgage arrangements, particularly for young lawyers.
Another initiative to be introduced at the conference is a Near Field Communication (NFC) Card.
Beyond serving as an identity and business card, the multipurpose card will enable members to securely transmit their professional details when tapped against another phone.
The card will also provide members in good standing with access to various discounts from selected businesses and service providers, including hotels, travel and tour companies, real estate firms, spas, beauty and wellness establishments, sports and media networks, as well as airport lounges.
Mrs Ghartey also announced plans for the construction of Bar Centres across the regions, beginning with regions that have already identified and acquired land for the projects.
She said the Association had worked with the Institute of Architects through an Ideas Competition to identify three Bar Centre models.
Each model, she explained, is estimated to cost GH¢7 million, covering the construction, floor works and reasonable ground works, while soft finishing would be the responsibility of the Bar.
The proposed centres will include offices for the President and Secretary, conference rooms, a library, committee rooms, a kitchen and eating area, as well as offices for an administrator and accountant.
The Volta-Oti, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Bars, she noted, are among those preparing to take advantage of the initiative.
Mrs Ghartey also reiterated the Association’s position on excessive bail conditions.
She said a resolution adopted at the GBA’s June 2026 Mid-year Conference requires bail conditions imposed by investigative and prosecutorial authorities to comply with Article 14 of the 1992 Constitution.
Such conditions, she stressed, must be reasonable, proportionate and consistent with the presumption of innocence.
The Association is also considering the establishment of a Human Rights Watch Committee to monitor human rights issues and provide legal assistance where necessary.
On legal education, the GBA President called on government to establish the Governing Board of the Council in accordance with the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170).
She said the establishment of the board would provide legitimacy to processes being undertaken under the new law.
Mrs Ghartey also welcomed the inauguration of the ADR Centre Council on September 9, 2026, saying the Association looked forward to seeing the institution transform alternative dispute resolution in Ghana.
According to her, a visible and credible ADR institution would provide investors with greater confidence to do business in Ghana through the accreditation of ADR practitioners and the promotion of alternative dispute resolution.
The 2026/2027 GBA Annual Conference is being held under the theme “150 Years of Ghana’s Legal Evolution: Transforming the Profession and Driving its Future with Industry.”
Mrs Ghartey said the theme marks the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876, which established the Supreme Court as a Superior Court of Record.
She noted that Ghana’s legal profession has evolved considerably since then, with the number of lawyers increasing from just 11 at independence in 1957 to more than 12,000 today.
The GBA President said the Association remains committed to professional excellence, ethical standards, integrity and the welfare of its members as it prepares for its 70th anniversary in 2027.
The conference features continuing legal education sessions, a Women’s Forum Annual General Meeting, health and wellness activities, social events, and discussions on the future of the legal profession.
