Gender Ministry Hails Sylvia Ama Adusu as First African Woman Elected to International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has congratulated Dr. Sylvia Ama Adusu on her election as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, marking a watershed moment for African representation on the global judicial stage.
Dr. Adusu, a Ghanaian jurist with an extensive career in international law, will serve on the Hamburg-based tribunal for the 2026–2035 term. Her election makes her the first African woman to sit on the body that adjudicates maritime disputes and interprets the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Ministry described the appointment as a proud moment for Ghana and a significant milestone for women’s leadership across the world. Officials highlighted Dr. Adusu’s distinguished record in international legal practice and her long-standing commitment to justice as qualities that earned her the confidence of the international community.
“This achievement reflects not only Dr. Adusu’s personal excellence but also Ghana’s continued pursuit of representation and influence on the global stage,” the Ministry said, adding that her appointment breaks new ground for women and girls across Africa who aspire to careers in law and diplomacy.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, established under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, is the principal judicial body for settling disputes related to the interpretation and application of the convention. It handles cases involving maritime boundaries, navigation rights, deep-sea mining, and the conservation of marine living resources. Judges are elected by state parties to the convention and serve nine-year terms.
Dr. Adusu’s elevation to the bench comes at a time when maritime governance is assuming greater importance globally. Disputes over territorial waters, exclusive economic zones, and the exploitation of seabed minerals have intensified in recent years, making the tribunal’s caseload increasingly complex and consequential.
For Ghana, the appointment carries particular significance. The country’s maritime sector, including its ports, fishing industry, and emerging offshore oil and gas operations, falls directly under the legal frameworks that ITLOS helps to interpret and enforce. Having a Ghanaian voice on the bench strengthens the nation’s standing in debates over maritime policy and resource management.
Beyond the national dimension, Dr. Adusu’s election sends a broader signal about the changing composition of international judicial institutions. Historically dominated by jurists from Europe and the Americas, the bench has gradually become more diverse, though representation of African women has remained conspicuously absent until now.
The Ministry urged young women across the continent to draw inspiration from Dr. Adusu’s achievement, noting that her path to the tribunal was paved by years of rigorous academic preparation, professional distinction, and unwavering dedication to the rule of law.
Dr. Adusu is expected to assume her duties at the tribunal’s seat in Hamburg, Germany, where she will join a panel of judges drawn from across the globe who are tasked with upholding the legal order of the world’s oceans.
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