Ghana has intensified efforts to secure the election of Dr. Sylvia Ama Adusu as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 term, with voting scheduled for June 18, 2026. If elected, Dr. Adusu would make history as the first African woman to serve on the Hamburg-based …
Ghana’s Dr. Sylvia Adusu seeks to become first African woman on ITLOS bench
Ghana has intensified efforts to secure the election of Dr. Sylvia Ama Adusu as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026–2035 term, with voting scheduled for June 18, 2026.
If elected, Dr. Adusu would make history as the first African woman to serve on the Hamburg-based tribunal, which was established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to adjudicate maritime disputes and promote the peaceful use of the world’s oceans.
Dr. Adusu’s candidature has received the endorsement of the African Union, reflecting continental support for her bid and Ghana’s commitment to strengthening African representation in international legal institutions.
A Chief State Attorney and Director of the International Division at Ghana’s Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, Dr. Adusu has more than three decades of legal experience. Her expertise spans international law, maritime law, arbitration, human rights, and dispute resolution.
She holds a PhD in Law from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, where she specialized in the Law of the Sea. She has also served as co-counsel for Ghana in the landmark Ghana-Côte d’Ivoire maritime boundary dispute before ITLOS and was part of Ghana’s legal team in the “ARA Libertad” case between Argentina and Ghana.
Dr. Adusu currently serves on several national and international bodies, including the Ghana Boundary Commission, where she has been involved in negotiations on Ghana’s maritime boundaries with neighboring countries.
In her campaign statement, Dr. Adusu highlighted the critical role of ITLOS in the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and expressed her commitment to upholding the highest standards of justice, integrity, and impartiality if elected.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, described Dr. Adusu as a lawyer of exceptional competence, fairness, and integrity whose extensive experience in maritime law and international dispute settlement would be a valuable asset to the Tribunal.
The election will be closely watched across Africa, as Dr. Adusu’s success would represent a significant milestone for both Ghana and the continent in advancing gender and regional representation within international judicial institutions.
