Ghana is celebrating a major diplomatic and judicial milestone following the election of Dr. Sylvia Ama Adusu as the first female African Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
Dr. Adusu secured an impressive 130 votes from United Nations Member States, marking a decisive victory and a historic breakthrough for both Ghana and the African continent in international maritime jurisprudence.
Her election has been widely described as a significant boost to Ghana’s growing reputation in global diplomacy and international law, as well as a landmark achievement for gender representation in high-level global judicial institutions.
Officials at Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commended the coordinated efforts of the Candidatures Bureau, staff of Ghana’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and other partners who played a key role in supporting the successful campaign.
They praised the “excellent execution” of the candidature process, which helped secure broad international support for Dr. Adusu’s election.
Dr. Adusu’s appointment is expected to strengthen Africa’s voice in maritime legal affairs while contributing to the development and interpretation of international maritime law at the highest level.
She is expected to assume her duties at ITLOS in the coming period, where she will join other judges adjudicating disputes arising from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Her election has been hailed as a proud moment for Ghana, underscoring the country’s continued contribution to international governance and rule of law.
