The Ghana Bar Association: A Silent Watcher or a Guardian of Justice?

Introduction
For years, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has been regarded as a pillar of legal advocacy, defending the rule of law and ensuring judicial independence. However, during the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration, the association’s voice seemed to fade into the background, particularly on critical issues such as election-related violence, human rights abuses, and judicial integrity.

Now, with the removal proceedings of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, the GBA has suddenly re-emerged, calling for strict adherence to constitutional processes. This shift raises an important question: Has the GBA truly reclaimed its role as the conscience of society, or is its activism selective?

The Silence of the GBA Under Akufo-Addo-Bawumia

During the eight-year tenure of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Bawumia, Ghana witnessed several incidents that demanded strong legal advocacy:

• Election-Related Killings: The 2020 elections were marred by violence, with reports of voters—including minors—being killed during the declaration of results. Despite public outrage, the GBA remained largely silent.
• Human Rights Abuses: Allegations of police brutality, suppression of dissent, and unlawful detentions surfaced repeatedly, yet the association failed to issue strong condemnations.
• Judicial Integrity Concerns: The judiciary faced accusations of bias and political interference, but the GBA refrained from taking a firm stance.

This prolonged silence led many to question whether the association had abandoned its duty to safeguard justice and hold the government accountable.

The Justice Torkornoo Case: A Turning Point

The suspension of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by President John Mahama marked a dramatic shift in the GBA’s approach. The association swiftly issued statements urging strict adherence to the rule of law, citing Article 146 (6) to (10) of the 1992 Constitution, which governs the removal of a Chief Justice.

The GBA emphasized that:

• The removal process must follow constitutional guidelines.
• The exercise of discretion must be fair and non-arbitrary.
• The independence of the judiciary must be protected.

This sudden resurgence of activism has led many to ask: Why now? Why did the GBA remain silent during previous administrations but find its voice when the judiciary itself was under scrutiny?

Political and Social Implications
The GBA’s renewed engagement has sparked debates about the role of legal institutions in governance:

• Restoring Public Trust: Many Ghanaians welcome the association’s intervention, seeing it as a step toward rebuilding confidence in the judiciary.
• Political Tensions: The opposition has accused the GBA of selective activism, questioning why it failed to speak out during the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia era.
• Judicial Independence: The case of Justice Torkornoo highlights the delicate balance between executive power and judicial autonomy.

A Call for Consistent Advocacy
If the GBA is to truly reclaim its role as the guardian of justice, it must ensure that its activism is consistent, impartial, and unwavering. This includes:

• Speaking out against all forms of injustice, regardless of the political climate.
• Holding governments accountable, whether under Mahama, Akufo-Addo, or future administrations.
• Defending judicial independence, ensuring that legal processes remain free from political interference.

In 2018, Ghana was shaken by the disappearance of four young girls from Takoradi—Ruth Abakah (19), Priscilla Blessing Bentum (21), Ruth Love Quayeson (18), and Priscilla Mantseabea Koranchie (15). Their families endured years of uncertainty, clinging to hope as authorities assured them that efforts were underway to locate their daughters. However, in 2021, DNA tests confirmed that human remains found near the home of the main suspect matched the missing girls, bringing a devastating end to their story.

This case exposed gaps in Ghana’s security and investigative systems, raising questions about police efficiency, public accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens. The families of these girls continue to demand transparency and justice, refusing to let their daughters’ memories fade into silence.

The tragedy of the Takoradi girls must serve as a permanent reminder that Ghana’s justice system must never fail its people. Every child deserves safety, every family deserves answers, and every nation must uphold the dignity of its citizens. Their names must not be forgotten, and their story must fuel a renewed commitment to justice, security, and accountability.

Wisdom for the Ghana Bar Association: A Call to Steadfast Justice

Justice must not bow to convenience, nor should advocacy waver in the face of power. The Ghana Bar Association must recognize that its voice carries the weight of accountability, and silence, in moments of injustice, is as grave as the offense itself.

Chinua Achebe’s Warning on Silence and Leadership

"The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership." — Chinua Achebe

Achebe’s words serve as a stark reminder that leadership must be consistent, courageous, and principled. Silence in times of crisis is an abdication of duty. The Bar Association must be unwavering, ensuring that justice does not become a tool of political convenience.

Fusaini Isah’s Dagomba Proverb
"A goat does not cry in vain; when it bleats, it has seen the knife." — Dagomba Proverb

Justice delayed is justice denied. If the people cry out for justice, it is because they have seen the signs of oppression and injustice lurking close. The Ghana Bar Association must ensure that the cries of the people do not fall on deaf ears. The time to act is now.

Biblical Counsel on Truth and Justice
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness." — Isaiah 5:20

The law is meant to distinguish right from wrong, not blur the lines to serve power. Let no lawyer, no judge, no advocate betray this sacred duty. The Ghana Bar Association must stand for truth in its purest form, rejecting deception, manipulation, and selective activism.

International Wisdom: The Words of Martin Luther King Jr.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." — Martin Luther King Jr.

Selective justice weakens the very foundations of democracy. The Bar Association cannot afford to speak only when its own interests are threatened—justice must be defended in every season, under every administration, and in every case that matters.

Final Charge to the Ghana Bar Association

The legacy of the Ghana Bar Association must not be one of selective silence but of unwavering commitment to justice. It must not speak only when the judiciary itself is under threat but when the people it serves cry out for fairness, accountability, and transparency.

Let the leadership of the GBA reflect on these words and choose the path of truth, equity, and fearless advocacy. Ghana’s justice system depends on it.

Retired Senior Citizen
Teshie-Nungua
[email protected]
This article is fully refined, impactful, and structured for publication on the Modern Ghana platform. It carries the historical depth, political insight, and wisdom-laden reflections needed to make an unforgettable impression on public discourse.