GBA Dismisses Claims Of Excluding President Mahama From 2025 Annual Conference

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has strongly rejected reports suggesting that President John Dramani Mahama was not invited to its 2025 Annual Conference, describing the claims as false and misleading.

In a detailed statement, the Association clarified that President Mahama was formally invited and has confirmed his attendance as the Guest of Honour for the event, which will be held in Wa, the Upper West Regional capital.

According to the GBA, the Bar Council first extended an informal invitation during a courtesy call on the President in March 2025. A formal letter followed on July 21, with the Presidency acknowledging receipt on July 29 and later confirming Mahama’s participation on August 1, 2025.

The Association explained that initial conference notices were circulated while awaiting confirmations from invited guests, in line with its long-standing practice.

“Upon receipt of confirmation by the GBA that the President of the Republic would honour the invitation to attend this year’s Annual Conference at Wa, the Association, in line with its practice, published and circulated another notice stating that the Conference shall be under the distinguished patronage of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, as Guest of Honour,” the statement read.

The GBA also addressed concerns about the inclusion of the Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales, stressing that such participation was not new, as the Council had attended its 2022 Annual Conference in Ho.

It reaffirmed its ties with international legal bodies, including the African Bar Association, International Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association, Sierra Leonean Bar Association, the Law Society of Kenya, and the American Bar Association.

Reiterating its neutrality, the Association emphasised that it remains non-partisan and will never undermine the authority and dignity of the Presidency. “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,” it stated.

The 2025 Annual Conference is expected to bring together legal practitioners, policymakers, and international partners to discuss pressing issues affecting the legal profession and Ghana’s justice system.

The clarification comes amid heightened friction between the GBA and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), following the Association’s stance against the suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo and the ongoing processes that could lead to her removal from office.