The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) will hold the 2021 Bar Conference at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region from September 12 to September 17, 2021.
This year’s conference will also be held on a virtual platform as part of the measures adopted in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), under the theme, ‘Ensuring an increase in revenue mobilisation through taxation for the purpose of accelerated national development: The role of the lawyer.’
The Conference is held by the Association to brainstorm on important issues facing the Association, elect new executives to run its affairs and provide an opportunity for members to interact and socialise.
For the first time in the history of the GBA, voting for executives is both virtual and in-person. The topmost position of National President of the Association will be contested by two prominent lawyers, Mr Yaw Boafo and Mrs Efua Ghartey.
Mr Yaw Boafo, an experienced lawyer, has been lauded for his service to the bar over the years.
He is a member of the General Legal Council and between 2001 and 2016, he held various positions including Ashanti Regional Bar President, Vice President, Secretary, Social Secretary.
He also served as member of the Legal Service Board from 2013 to 2020.
Mr Boafo is a strong advocate for the welfare of female and young lawyers and actively contributed towards the amendment of the GBA Constitution to provide representation for The Young Lawyers Forum, Women’s Forum and Corporate Lawyers on the General Council of the Bar.
Lawyer Boafo also played a key role in the introduction of a customised ICT platform that has served as a vital platform for Continuing Legal Education seminars and payment of members’ dues.
The platform has also significantly reduced the processing time for renewal of lawyers’ licence and bar registration certificate.
He has campaigned on the message of enhanced ICT use to further improve efficiency of the Association’s activities, e-Justice, and expansion of the Bar Centre to accommodate some leisure facilities and improved welfare for all lawyers.
Mrs Ghartey is also an experienced lawyer and one who has advocated for the rights of female lawyers over the years.
She has called on members to elect a woman to lead the Association and has tried to rally young lawyers with promises of improved welfare.
As regional president of the association for the Greater Accra Region, she has been praised for steadily managing the affairs of the Regional Bar Association.
The position of the Vice President will be contested by Yaa Gyakobo and Kwabena Amoako-Adjei while Nana Serwa Acheampong and Dr Adu Anani Antwi will contest for the position of treasurer.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
