GBA Advocacy Role Lacks Consistency, says Ayine

The Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has questioned the GBA advocacy role. He accused the association of political selectivity in its advocacy. Ayine spoke at the 2025 GBA annual conference. He said the Bar has assisted the Supreme Court. In addition, it has helped interpret the constitution. However, he stated that the Bar’s public advocacy “lacked consistency.” This has brought its principles into question.

Ayine cited specific examples. He noted the GBA’s silence on two past removal cases. These were the removals of Lorretta Lamptey and Mrs. Charlotte Osei. He then contrasted these with a later case. The GBA found its voice. This was when a similar petition came against a former Chief Justice. He observed that the voice of the Bar amplified the voice of the opposition. This showed a flaw in the GBA advocacy role.

For him, the association must speak out to defend the rule of law. It should not try to please governments or opposition parties. He called the GBA a “moral compass.” It is a key pillar of the country’s democracy. He therefore called on lawyers to be the “conscience of the republic.” In fact, their voices must not fall silent when constitutionalism is under threat. He also called for ethical discipline. He added that a few errant lawyers can tarnish the Bar’s credibility.

The GBA President, Efua Ghartey, parried all criticisms. She defended the association’s position. She acknowledged that the removal of a Chief Justice could happen under Article 146. However, she decried the process itself. She said there were no clear regulations for it. This could lead to “arbitrariness and lack of fairness.” She concluded that the GBA’s duty is to protect the judiciary’s independence. It takes this duty very seriously.

Source: Graphic Online