By Mildred Siabi-Mensah
Takoradi, Aug. 21, GNA – Mr. Ebenezer Aberde Kwaitoo of Kwaitoo Law Firm (Just Cause Chambers) is hopeful of clinching the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Vice President position.
The Metropolitan Solicitor and Head of Legal Department at the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly introduced the Martyrs’ Day Public Lecture in the Western Region as part of Corporate Social Responsibility to bring his leadership skills and commitment to excellence to the GBA.
With over three decades of legal practice and significant contributions to the GBA, Mr. Kwaitoo aims to ensure that the Association regained its former enviable place in the politics and socio-economic development as well as promoting the welfare of members of the Bar, especially young lawyers and in-house counsel.
His candidacy followed a rich history of service within the GBA, including his role as Regional President of the Western Region Branch and an active member of the National Council from 2009 to 2013.
The legal officer’s participation in international legal forums and his successful hosting of the GBA’s Annual General Conference in Takoradi in 2012 are testaments to his dedication and capability.
Mr. Kwaitoo is certain that his potential electoral victory would continue the legacy of influential legal professionals who have shaped the affairs of GBA.
According to him, his commitment to the legal community and public service made him a strong candidate for Vice President.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he said inclusivity in the top hierarchy of the Association must be cemented to achieve regional balance and fair representation of public sector lawyers.
After the vetting by GBA Electoral Committee, almost all qualified candidates for the various national positions were from the Greater Accra Region except the Vice President (where Lawyer Kwaitoo is from Western Bar) and the Assistant Secretary position being contested by a female lawyer from the Ashanti Bar.
Mr. Kwaitoo core values are Integrity, leadership and transformation.
According to the GBA Constitution, the Vice President deputises for the President and therefore assists in the implementation of the vision of the President and the National Executive Committee, the General Council and the entire membership hence Mr. Kwaitoo’s hashtag “Forward Together”.
Mr. Kwaitoo, with 31 years’ experience in the legal profession, had the opportunity as the Regional President of the Western Bar to conduct effective GBA-GES Legal Literacy Clinics for Basic Education Schools, published the GBA W/R Newsletter for effective communication, facilitated “Radio Lawyer” public sensitizations fielding lawyers with varied expertise, and also established a sustainable Welfare Scheme which had since been replicated and enhanced at the national level.
Other achievements are the successful organisation of local Continuing Legal Education seminars for Capacity Building, whipping up members’ involvement in local GBA Committees and Statutory Bodies representation, strengthening relations with other Professional Bodies and Associations, introducing Quarterly Cocktail Get-Together Sessions for socialization and bonding, and established effective Bar/Bench Dialogue through periodic engagements.
He also undertook the publication of Membership Directory and Mail-list for effective communication, conducted Seminars on Rule of Law in Secondary Schools and on Radio Stations during Martyrs’ Day Celebrations Week, sustained the annual End-of-Term Dinner & Awards Night for lawyers, secured a parcel of land for the establishment of a Regional Bar Centre and crowned them with the successful hosting of the 2012 GBA Annual General Conference at Akroma Plaza, Takoradi.
Mr. Kwaitoo has been a lawyer in Good Standing for 31 years out of which 25 years have been dedicated to service as a conscientious public sector In-House Counsel.
The founder and Head of Kwaitoo Law Firm (Just Cause Chambers) since 2005 is also a practising Notary Public since 2007, an erstwhile Legal Coordinator for Sekondi Diocese of the Methodist Church Ghana, an expert in effective management, good governance, and sustainability, and a Mentor and Trainer to numerous Legal Associates, including the current Regional Secretary of the Western Region Bar
GNA