The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has dismissed reports suggesting that it failed to invite President John Dramani Mahama to its 2025 Annual Conference or accorded him less prominence than his predecessor, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 21, the Association described the allegations as “false, misleading and a misconception of facts.” It further urged the public and media to “verify information (which the GBA is available to give) on such matters before publishing same.”
Clarifying the matter, the GBA confirmed that President Mahama had been formally invited and accepted to attend the conference, which will take place in Wa, the Upper West Regional capital.
“The President of the Republic, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has been invited as the Guest of Honour at the 2025 Annual Conference of the GBA … and the President has graciously accepted to honour the invitation,” the Association stated.
The GBA explained that its Bar Council had first extended an informal invitation during a courtesy call on the President in March 2025, followed by a formal letter dated July 21, which was received by the Presidency on July 29.
“Subsequently, the GBA received an acceptance letter from the presidency dated 1st August, 2025, with Ref. No. OPS 311/25/2817,” the statement noted.
Addressing concerns about its notices, the Association stressed that its practice has always been to circulate initial announcements of its conferences before receiving official responses from invited guests. “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: ‘This year’s Conference shall be under the distinguished patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, as Guest of Honour,’” the release said.
The GBA also rejected suggestions that inviting the Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales was unusual. It recalled that the Council had previously joined its 2022 Conference in Ho and emphasized that the Association regularly hosts delegations from regional and international legal bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Sierra Leonean Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.
Underscoring its neutrality, the Association stressed, “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 GBA is an association of Ghanaian lawyers, and its leadership’s fidelity is to the Constitution of Ghana, other laws of Ghana and the Association’s Constitution.”
Background
NDC MP for South Dayi Rockson Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor, who is also a member of the Association, accused the GBA of showing “blatant bias” against President Mahama and the NDC.
He argued that publicity material for the 2025 Annual Conference in Wa failed to give the President the same prominence accorded to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at past conferences.
Mr. Dafeamekpor further questioned the decision to invite the Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales, citing recent tensions between the body and the Mahama administration over the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo.
