Across the world, women continue to make remarkable strides in all fields, including polities, law and business and Ghana is no exception.

Joyce Adeline Bamford-Addo, a Ghanaian barrister and judge served as the first female Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana from 2009 to 2013.

She also made history as the first woman to be elected to that position in the West African sub-region.

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Bamford-Addo also was the first female Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana. She served in that role from 1991 until 2004, when she retired.

Here is a brief profile

Born to an English father and a Ghanaian mother from Aburi, Bamford-Addo received her early education in Cape Coast and later attended Holy Child School.

She trained as a barrister in the UK, joining the Inner Temple and being called to the English Bar in 1961, followed by the Ghana Bar in 1962.

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Her career in Ghana’s legal system began as an Assistant State Attorney, rising to become Director of Public Prosecutions in 1976, a role she held for a decade.

Following the 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections, she was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Fourth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana taking over from Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes.

Her legacy continues to inspire countless women in Ghana today.

JKB/EB

Meanwhile, watch the trailer to GhanaWeb’s upcoming documentary titled, 'Sex for Fish' below: