I agree that the timing of the attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP was wrong - Gyampo

The Ghana Bar Association (GBA) has strongly condemned the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO)'s attempted arrest of Manhyia South MP and lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah at the Accra High Court Complex on September 23, 2026. The GBA, through its President Mrs Efua Ghartey and National Secretary Kwaku Gyau Baffour, expressed concern over the incident, which was captured in videos showing another lawyer, Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa, being assaulted by a woman later identified as an EOCO officer.

The Association emphasized that while no one is above the law, enforcement actions involving lawyers must adhere to constitutional guarantees, legal procedures, and the independence of the legal profession. They warned that measures perceived as circumventing these safeguards could create an environment of intimidation and negatively impact lawyers' ability to perform their professional duties.

GBA stressed that lawyers are vital in administering justice and protecting citizens' rights. Any actions that interfere with lawyers' ability to represent clients through arbitrary or irregular means risk undermining public confidence in the justice system and the rule of law. The Association recalled its President's previous concerns about incidents involving lawyers during their professional duties at the GBA's 2025 annual conference in Wa.

The GBA urged EOCO and other state institutions to ensure their actions comply with due process, fairness, and respect for the rights of all individuals. They emphasized that the rule of law requires justice to be both done and seen to be done, highlighting the independence of the legal profession as a cornerstone of democratic society that must be protected.