The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has dismissed claims that it sidelined President John Dramani Mahama in preparations for its 2025 Annual Conference.
According to the Association, its long-standing practice is to circulate initial conference notices to members even when responses from invited dignitaries, including the President, are still pending.
“Upon receipt of confirmation by the GBA that the President of the Republic would honour the invitation, the Association, in line with its practice, published and circulated another notice… stating that this year’s Conference shall be under the distinguished patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama as Guest of Honour,” the statement said.
The Association further refuted suggestions that inviting the Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales was meant to sideline the President, stressing that international bar associations are routinely involved in its annual conferences.
“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 statement concluded.
The 2025 GBA Annual Conference is scheduled to take place in Wa, with President Mahama serving as the Guest of Honour.
The 2025 Annual Conference is set to convene legal practitioners, policymakers, and international stakeholders to deliberate on pressing issues shaping the legal profession and the justice system.
Tensions have recently flared between the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following the Association’s opposition to the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo and the ongoing proceedings that may result in her removal from office.
