Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has accused the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) of straying from its professional mandate and adopting a partisan posture in its public advocacy.
Addressing the GBA’s annual conference in Wa, Dr. Ayine expressed disappointment over what he described as the association’s inconsistent stance on constitutional matters, warning that such conduct undermines its credibility.
“We must remember that our allegiance is first and foremost to the constitution and this republic, not to transient political interests,” he told members.
He acknowledged the Bar’s historic role in assisting the Supreme Court to interpret and enforce the Constitution but argued that its advocacy outside the courtroom has “lacked consistency, bringing into question its adherence to principles.”
According to Dr. Ayine, the GBA has failed to demonstrate fairness on critical national issues, often echoing the positions of the opposition rather than maintaining neutrality. He accused the association of becoming “self-serving,” prioritising its own interests over those of the legal profession and the wider public.
The Attorney-General contrasted the GBA’s silence during the removal of former Electoral Commission Chairperson, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, and her deputies with its vocal opposition to the recent process to remove Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.
He recalled that in 2015, when an Article 146 petition was filed against then-CHRAJ Chairperson, Lauretta Lamptey, the Bar “failed to speak out about the process.” Similarly, in the lead-up to the 2016 elections, the then-opposition New Patriotic Party challenged the Electoral Commission in court over the voter identification system — cases that became known as the Abu Ramadan line.
“Immediately upon assuming office in 2017, an Article 146 petition was filed for the removal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, and her deputies from office. The Bar saw no basis to speak out about compliance with due process,” he said.
Dr. Ayine noted that the association only became outspoken when a petition — based on the same constitutional provisions — was brought for the removal of Chief Justice Torkonoo.
“The honest question we have to ask ourselves is, what changed? The three petitions concerned officeholders of critical constitutional bodies. The independence of these institutions is guaranteed by the Constitution, and all three occupants were women of repute and members of our noble profession. Yet, the Bar found its voice only in relation to the third petition. Coincidentally, the voice of the Bar amplified the voice of the opposition,” he stated.
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