The legal profession in Ghana is known for its strict code of conduct and ethics, especially when it comes to appearance and attire.
Lawyers are expected to dress in a formal and conservative manner, with black and white as the dominant colours.
However, some lawyers have challenged this norm by expressing their personal style and preferences, sometimes causing controversy and criticism.
One of such lawyers is Gloria Akuffo, who served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Ghana from 2017 to 2021.
During her tenure, she often made headlines for her choice of accessories, particularly her anklet. She was seen wearing an anklet to various public functions, including parliament, where she represented the government in legal matters.
According to a report by Ghanaweb, she once explained that she wears the anklet as a token of remembrance for a young lady friend of hers who gave it to her as a gift. She said the young lady found her inspiring and that she was her mentor. She also said that she loves beads and that it is part of her choice of clothing.
She also reportedly said that she likes to shop in the young people sections when she goes shopping. She said that anklet has no special meaning or significance, but that it is just a habit and a preference.
However, the anklet was not the only thing that many people were uncomfortable with. Madam Gloria Akuffo also had a habit of showing some skin when she wore dresses or skirts.
When she was not in the lawyer’s robe or not in a pantsuit, she was most often seen in dresses or skirts that were above her knee when standing.
This meant, when she did sit down, the clothes would get shorter, revealing great portions of her thighs.
It is for this reason, many are shocked by the GLC and the GBA’s stance on lawyer-in-waiting, Elorm Ama Ababio, popularly known as Ama Governor.
Ama Governor is a Ghanaian YouTuber, social media influencer and lawyer-in-waiting. In November 2022, she was denied the call to the Ghana Bar even though she completed the law programme, passed her exams and aced her interview session.
According to her, the reason for this denial was a petition by an anonymous individual who accused her of lacking good character and moral fitness to be a lawyer. The petition cited some of her YouTube videos where she discussed her sexual experience with a woman. The petition also alleged that she wore nose rings to school, which was considered inappropriate and unprofessional.
Ama Governor has however repeatedly denied these allegations and has said that she had complied with the dress code and rules of the Ghana School of Law. She said that she had never worn her nose rings to school and that she had always inverted her septum piercing when attending classes. She also said that she had never had any conflict with anyone in school and that her YouTube content was not obscene or offensive.
She said that the petition was frivolous and malicious and that it should not have been entertained by the GLC. She said that she won the case against the unidentified petitioner after a hearing where they agreed with her submissions. However, she said that she has not received any update on her status as a lawyer since then.
She also said that her name has been dragged in the most undignified ways by some people who have used her as a bad example of people unworthy of the Ghana Bar. She said that she does not recognize the person they are trying to describe her as and that she thinks she is very fit to be called.
Following this, as expected there were divided opinions. Some say she deserves everything she is getting because they do not agree with her having tattoos, wearing nose rings and discussing her queerness publicly.
Others who sympathised with her plight, questioned why she is being “crucified” when if the matter of wardrobe choices should come up, many Ghanaians expressed discomfort with the former Attorney General’s wardrobe choices, and nothing was said or done about that.
They argued that there was a double standard and a bias against Ama Governor because of her gender, age and sexuality. They said that Gloria Akuffo was allowed to wear an anklet and show some skin without any consequences, while Ama Governor was denied the call to the Bar for wearing nose rings and expressing her views.
Below are some comments under the Good Evening Ghana post of her interview on Facebook in 2018
Could she be practicing law right now if she had chosen to keep these aspects of her identity private?
Some also pointed out that the GLC and the GBA have not addressed other issues of misconduct and corruption among lawyers and judges, but have focused on trivial matters such as appearance and attire.
They called for a reform of the legal system and a review of the criteria for admission to the Bar. They said that the GLC and the GBA should be more transparent, fair and consistent in their decisions and actions. They also said that Ama Governor should be given a chance to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer.
What do you think of this controversy? Do you think Ama Governor should be called to the Bar or not? Do you think Gloria Akuffo’s dressing was appropriate or not? Do you think this comparison is valid?