The respected former Attorney-General (A-G) of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu and founder of the Africa Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) has called for the prioritisation of the passage of the Intestate Succession Amendment Bill.

The former A-G made this call at a public lecture organised by Africa Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) to mark the 40 year anniversary of the passing of the Intestate Succession Act, 1985 (PNDCL 111). The learned Senior lawyer and front line advocate for the passage of the Law identified deficiencies in the application of the law owing to modern forms of assets, family structures, different types of marriages amongst others.

STAR OF THE MONTH - Derick Adu-Gyamfi Esq.

The Annual Labour Law Conference

In her lecture, the former A-G said "As we reflect on 40 years of PNDCL 111, we must ask ourselves: Are our succession laws meeting the needs of Ghanaian families today? If the answer is “not fully,” then the task ahead is clear. I call upon Parliament To prioritise the passage of the Intestate Succession Amendment Bill."

In her lecture addressed to lawyers, law students, members of Civil Society amongst others, Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu said "Despite statutory protections, cultural practices still influence property distribution, especially in rural areas. Some widows continue to face eviction and property grabbing. These challenges highlight why PNDCL 111, while visionary, requires significant updates."

Not passed for 16 years and counting

The former A-G noted the failure of passage of the bill from 2009 when she first moved the bill in Parliament in 2009. She express regret during her lecture that the bill is yet ot see the light of day by way of passage into an Act of Parliament.

The learned former A-G noted in her leture as follow; "I must take advantage of this forum to reiterate that it was one of the proudest moments of my legal career when I stood in Parliament as then Attorney - General in 2009, to move for the amendment of PNDCL 111, some 24 years after its passage. I regret to say that the Bill has still not been passed into law - 16years later. Despite the issues raised and 40years later we are still operating the law with all its inadequacies."