The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has vehemently refuted claims by Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, who alleged the association aligns with the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). The denial comes in response to public debate questioning the GBA’s silence on remarks made by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin regarding members of the judiciary. GBA Public Relations Officer Saviour Kudze stated on Joy FM’s Top Story on May 18 that such accusations are “disappointing” and urged political figures to cease politicizing professional bodies.
The controversy erupted following criticism from sections of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC). They questioned why the GBA had not publicly condemned comments by Mr. Afenyo-Markin, which were widely perceived as disparaging towards certain judges. Mr. Ofosu echoed these sentiments in a Facebook post, suggesting the GBA’s silence reinforced perceptions of sympathy towards the NPP, an allegation the association has consistently denied.
Mr. Kudze described the repeated accusations as a “ritual” that distracts from pressing national issues like sanitation and illegal mining. He argued that political actors should focus on providing solutions to identified problems rather than weaponizing public commentary against professional bodies like the GBA.
“It appears the many problems that Ghanaians are worried about — sanitation, galamsey — we don’t want to act on those ones,” Mr. Kudze remarked. “Anytime GBA speaks at certain times, he speaks for certain people, and he doesn’t speak for certain people.”
The GBA PRO emphasized that reducing the association to partisan politics undermines the integrity of the legal profession. He stressed the collective responsibility lawyers share towards national development and the rule of law.
“How long can we continue to do this? It’s becoming a ritual. Can we move away from this?” he questioned, advocating for a shift away from such unproductive political attacks.
Mr. Kudze reiterated that the GBA represents lawyers across the political spectrum, forming a unified professional body. He firmly dismissed suggestions that the association serves any specific political tradition.
“Because it is only one group of lawyers that we have. We are all lawyers belonging to one group. If there’s an issue, how do we deal with it?” he asked rhetorically. “Every time, GBA is a wing of NPP. I don’t know that. To me, it is not true,” he added.
While acknowledging that judges can be subject to criticism, Mr. Kudze stressed the importance of using appropriate legal channels, such as appeals, rather than public statements that could be construed as insulting the bench. This approach, he argued, upholds the dignity and independence of the judiciary.
In the same interview, the GBA officially condemned the public comments made by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. The association described his remarks as inappropriate and a potential threat to judicial independence.
Mr. Kudze stated that the GBA would not condone conduct by lawyers that undermines judges or the integrity of the judiciary. He specifically rebuked the Effutu MP for his public statements.
“We will never condone such conduct. Over the years, we have consistently cautioned and condemned similar behaviour by lawyers,” Mr. Kudze asserted. “I will not mince words in saying that what the Minority Leader, a senior lawyer at the Bar, has done is condemnable at every level. A senior lawyer who also holds a public position ought to have done better.”
The controversy stems from comments made by Mr. Afenyo-Markin at a press conference on Sunday, May 17, 2026. He raised concerns about the continued remand of NPP Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe (Abronye DC), arguing that it raised constitutional issues regarding bail and freedom of expression.
“What has been done to Abronye DC is a profound constitutional wrong, and must be condemned without equivocation, without delay,” Mr. Afenyo-Markin declared. “The arrest itself, the prosecution and remand of a citizen for words spoken in the public domain is not justice, it is prosecution.”
Mr. Afenyo-Markin then launched a strong personal attack on the presiding judge, stating, “That Circuit Court 9 judge – I have no respect for him. I pray he summons me for contempt. I will continue to disrespect him until he upholds the law. It’s a shame on the judiciary; he doesn’t talk law.”
The GBA’s strong stance against both partisan accusations and the disparaging remarks towards the judiciary highlights the ongoing tension between political discourse and the professional conduct expected within Ghana’s legal fraternity. As political temperatures rise, the GBA’s commitment to maintaining its independence and upholding the rule of law will be closely watched.
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