Career Biography

Akua Oparebea Amponsah is the legal advisor and Company Secretary of the Ghana Stock Exchange, where she provides strategic legal counsel across the full spectrum of the Exchange’s operations. She also leads the compliance function, overseeing adherence to legal and regulatory requirements, internal policies and the continuing obligations of issuers and member firms.

In her governance role, Akua advises the Board, executive leadership and management on corporate governance, regulatory compliance and risk management matters and oversees the company secretarial function to support effective decision-making and statutory compliance. Her work spans capital markets regulation, institutional governance, contract management and regulatory engagement.

Before joining the Exchange, Akua practised at Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah, one of Ghana’s leading law firms, where she advised on high-value local and cross-border transactions in the energy, petroleum and mining sectors. She also previously worked in Human Resources and Administration at AngloGold Ashanti Limited.

Akua holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Columbia University, where she was a Thoyer Scholar, a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) and a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Psychology from the University of Ghana. She also holds a Qualifying Certificate in Law from the Ghana School of Law, where she was awarded Best Graduating Student in the Law of Taxation upon her call to the Bar.

Her professional training includes programmes with Clifford Chance (UK), the International Law Institute (USA) and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).

She is a member of the Ghana Bar Association and the Institute of Directors-Ghana, and was recognised in the Legal 500 GC Powerlist 2025.

What are the key projects that you have been involved in over the past twelve months?

Over the past twelve months, I have provided senior legal and governance support for two strategic initiatives at the Ghana Stock Exchange: its ongoing demutualisation and a comprehensive review of the GSE Rules.

For demutualisation, I have advised the Demutualisation Committee and the Board on governance structures, reviewed constitutional and legal documents, liaised with external counsel and supported the process to align the Exchange’s framework with applicable law and international best practice.

For Rules Review, focusing on the Equities Listing Rules and Dealing Membership Rules, I have led the legal and compliance aspects of the review, working with the internal team and external stakeholders to modernise the regulatory framework, address enforcement gaps and ensure consistency with recent legislative and policy developments.

Both projects are pivotal to strengthening governance, enhancing regulatory architecture and positioning the Exchange for sustainable long-term growth.

What do you think are the most important attributes for a modern in-house counsel to possess?

A modern in-house counsel has to be more than a technical lawyer. The role sits at the centre of the business, and requires an understanding of the commercial, regulatory and reputational implications of every decision.

Strong governance and compliance remain fundamental, particularly in regulated environments like the capital markets, where a misstep can affect investor confidence and market integrity. That means spotting issues early, giving practical advice and helping management navigate difficult decisions.

Above all, the role requires sound judgement and adaptability. The legal and regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, and the in-house lawyer must help the organisation stay compliant while still advancing its strategic priorities.

How can General Counsel foster a corporate culture that supports ESG principles and compliance across all levels of the organisation?

General counsel set the tone for how seriously an organisation takes governance, sustainability and compliance. That starts with embedding ESG principles into core policies, risk frameworks and decision-making processes, rather than treating them as standalone initiatives or a box-ticking exercise.

It also requires regular engagement with the Board and management, practical guidance to business units and ongoing staff training so that ESG considerations are understood at every level.

Ultimately, culture is driven by consistency, and the general counsel plays a key role in ensuring that the organisation’s actions reflect its stated values and obligations.