The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has strongly rejected claims it is aligned with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu made these allegations, saying the GBA sympathises with the NPP.
Saviour Kudze, Public Relations Officer for the GBA, described the accusation as “disappointing”. He urged political actors to stop politicising the association when it speaks on national issues. This rejection comes amid increasing public debate about the GBA’s perceived silence. Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin made remarks against some members of the judiciary; the GBA has now condemned these.
This ongoing dispute highlights a recurring tension between political figures and independent professional bodies in Ghana. Ghana often experiences accusations of political bias against institutions, especially during periods of heightened political discourse. The GBA, as a key legal institution, frequently finds itself in the national spotlight. It is expected to comment on matters affecting justice and the rule of law. Perceptions of political alignment can undermine public trust in such bodies and democratic institutions.
“It’s rather disappointing that every time this matter keeps coming up,” Mr. Kudze stated on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, May 18. He said that Ghana's pressing national challenges deserved more attention. He cited issues such as sanitation and illegal mining, known as galamsey. Mr. Kudze argued that focusing on political accusations distracts from these critical problems. He insisted that the GBA remains a unified body, not a political wing.
What happens next hinges on how political stakeholders respond to the GBA's firm stance. This rejection by the GBA signals its commitment to maintaining neutrality and professional integrity. Decision-makers in government and opposition parties will need to consider the implications of such public exchanges. Further politicisation could erode confidence in professional bodies and the legal system. Conversely, acknowledging the GBA's role as a non-partisan entity could foster better civic discourse. This incident may also prompt a re-evaluation of how political figures engage with independent associations.
Mr. Kudze stressed that political leaders should focus on solving identified problems. He questioned their actions if they truly believed institutional shortcomings existed. He also emphasised that the GBA represents all lawyers, regardless of political leanings. Reducing the association to partisan politics undermines the legal profession’s integrity. It distracts from lawyers' collective responsibility to national development and the rule of law. The GBA seeks to address national challenges, not engage in party-political squabbles.
The GBA also condemned specific comments made by Mr. Afenyo-Markin against judges. Mr. Kudze called these comments inappropriate and a threat to judicial independence. He affirmed the GBA would never condone such conduct from lawyers. He pointed out that Mr. Afenyo-Markin, a senior lawyer, should have acted better. Mr. Afenyo-Markin had criticised a judge over the remand of NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe. He stated, “That Circuit Court 9 judge – I have no respect for him.”