Els: MBN360 News
The Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has called for sustained legal and institutional reforms to address gender biases within Ghana’s justice system, urging women lawyers to build on the legacy of pioneers who paved the way for their progress.
She made the call at the maiden Biennial Conference of the Women’s Forum of the Ghana Bar Association, organised in collaboration with the Ghana School of Law in Accra on Tuesday. The conference was held on the theme, “The Role of Women Lawyers in National Development: Honouring Trailblazers.”
Madam Bampoe Addo noted that the progress made by women in the legal profession was the result of years of struggle, sacrifice and determination, rather than chance. She paid tribute to early trailblazers such as Matilda Foster and Annie Jiagge, whose achievements, she said, broke barriers and opened doors for future generations.
Read also:
- Bank of Ghana Governor to perform official tee-off at 3i Africa Invitational Golf tournament
- IGP deploys special security team and armoured vehicles to Gushegu and Karaga after clashes
- Moliy becomes first Ghanaian to be nominated for Best Afrobeats Artist.
- Deputy Finance Minister Pledges Immediate Payment For All Unpaid Teachers.
- Mahama Ayariga breaks ground for major development projects in Bawku
She also commended the contributions of female judicial leaders, including Georgina Theodora Wood, Sophia Akuffo and Gertrude Torkornoo, noting that their leadership reflected the growing influence of women in the judiciary.
Madam Bampoe Addo observed that women lawyers had made significant contributions across sectors, including the courtroom, academia, policy development, civil society advocacy and community engagement, helping to advance gender equality and strengthen institutions.
However, she expressed concern about persistent gender biases within the justice system, particularly in some judicial pronouncements that could undermine the dignity of women. She stressed that courts must not only deliver justice but also communicate it in a manner that upholds respect and fairness for all.
“There is undervaluation of women’s unpaid domestic labour, including caregiving responsibilities, which are often overlooked in legal determinations, especially in matrimonial cases,” she added.
