Accra, April 15, – Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo has urged sustained reforms within Ghana’s justice system to eliminate gender biases and strengthen fairness in judicial processes.
She said the legal system must evolve in ways that reflect social realities while ensuring equal treatment for all, regardless of gender.
Speaking at the maiden Biennial Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Women’s Forum, organised in collaboration with the Ghana School of Law in Accra, she stressed that progress made by women in the legal profession had been achieved through years of determination and resilience.
The forum was held on the theme: “The Role of Women Lawyers in National Development: Honouring Trailblazers.”
Madam Bampoe Addo paid tribute to pioneering female legal figures such as Matilda Foster and Annie Jiagge, noting that their contributions laid the foundation for greater female participation in the justice sector.
She also acknowledged former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, former Speaker of Parliament Joyce Bamford-Addo, and other senior female jurists, describing their leadership as instrumental in shaping Ghana’s legal and governance systems.
She expressed concern about persistent gender bias in parts of the justice delivery process, including the undervaluation of unpaid domestic work in some judicial decisions.
According to her, courts must ensure that justice is not only done but also seen to respect dignity and fairness in its reasoning and outcomes.
COP Lydia Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, also addressed the gathering, describing women lawyers as central to legal and governance reforms in Ghana.
She encouraged young legal practitioners to extend their impact beyond academic excellence and contribute actively to justice and societal transformation.
COP Donkor further urged more women lawyers to consider careers in law enforcement, noting that legal expertise remains critical to strengthening policing and justice delivery.
The conference also honoured nine distinguished women for their pioneering roles in Ghana’s legal history, including former Chief Justice Georgina Wood, former Speaker Joyce Bamford-Addo, former Attorney-General Betty Mould-Iddrisu, and Justice Annie Jiagge.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana was also recognised for its longstanding advocacy for women’s and children’s rights since its establishment in 1974.
The event brought together judges, legal practitioners, policymakers, academics, and students to reflect on the contributions of women in law and governance.
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