Veteran Ghanaian lawyer and former Attorney-General, Betty Mould-Iddrisu, is being celebrated for 47 years of distinguished service at the Ghana Bar, highlighting a career marked by legal reforms, advocacy for women’s rights, and international recognition.
Born on March 22, 1953, in Accra, Mould-Iddrisu received her early education at Achimota School, Ghana International School, and Accra Academy. She later obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Ghana between 1973 and 1976, before earning a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics in 1978.
She was called to the Ghana Bar in 1979 after completing her professional training at the Ghana School of Law.
Her legal career spans several decades, during which she rose through the ranks at the Ministry of Justice from State Attorney to Chief State Attorney, and later headed the International Law Division.
In 1989, she was appointed Copyright Administrator of Ghana and went on to gain recognition as a global expert in intellectual property law, working with international bodies including the World Intellectual Property Organization.
In 2009, Mould-Iddrisu made history when she became Ghana’s first female Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. During her tenure, she initiated key reforms aimed at strengthening the justice system, improving the capacity of state attorneys, and expanding legal education through the establishment of additional law schools.
She also played a pivotal role in legislative advocacy, including introducing bills in 2010 to reform property rights for spouses and children under Ghana’s intestate succession laws. These efforts reflected her longstanding commitment to gender equality and legal protection for vulnerable groups.
Earlier in her career, Mould-Iddrisu was actively involved with the Ghana chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), where she held several leadership roles, including serving as national president from 1994 to 1996 and later as head of FIDA-Africa. She contributed to the establishment of Ghana’s first Legal Aid Centre in 1986, aimed at improving access to justice for disadvantaged women.
In 1999, she co-founded the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), a regional body focused on promoting gender-responsive laws and supporting women’s rights across Africa. The organization remains active in several countries.
Mould-Iddrisu has also held international roles, including serving as Director of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat in 2003. In that capacity, she advised governments and policymakers on constitutional reform, governance, and international law.
Throughout her career, she has worked closely with institutions such as ECOWAS and the African Union on issues including human rights, anti-trafficking measures, and regional legal cooperation. She also contributed to efforts promoting international humanitarian law alongside the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In academia, she pioneered the teaching of intellectual property law at the University of Ghana in 1990, mentoring generations of lawyers in the field.
Beyond her public service, Mould-Iddrisu has been a strong advocate against gender-based violence and was part of Ghana’s Domestic Violence Coalition, which contributed to the passage of the Domestic Violence Act in 2007.
Currently, she serves as a member of Ghana’s Council of State, continuing to contribute to national development and governance.
Her 47-year journey at the Bar underscores a legacy of leadership, legal innovation, and advocacy that has shaped Ghana’s legal landscape and influenced policy across Africa.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
