Senior manager, legal affairs | MTN GlobalConnect Solutions Ltd (Bayobab)
Global director compliance, labour & employment and incidence management | Mastercard Foundation
General counsel and Head of corporate services | OceanLift Subsea Ghana LTD
Group head, legal and recovery departments and Company secretary | OmniBSIC Bank
Senior legal counsel and Company secretary | Unilever Ghana PLC
Head of the legal department and General counsel | Agricultural Development Bank PLC (ADB PLC)
Group head of legal and compliance and Group company secretary | PETRA
Manager, legal | Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)
Legal and human resources manager and Company secretary | MISA Energy Ghana Ltd
Head of legal and compliance and Company Secretary | Hollard Life Assurance Ghana LTD
Head of legal and compliance and Company secretary | Amenfiman Rural Bank Plc
Director and head, legal and enforcement department | Securities & Exchange Commission, Ghana
Group head, legal and compliance and Company secretary | Enterprise Group PLC
Head of legal and compliance and Company secretary | SUNU Assurances Ghana LTD
Executive: governance, risk and compliance | Sanlam Allianz Life Insurance Ghana LTD
Legal and company secretariat | Ghana Airports Company Limited
Group head, legal and Company secretary | KGL Group of Companies LTD (KGL Group)
Senior corporate lawyer | VAAL Real Estate Ltd.Â
Director, legal division | Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC)
Head of legal and compliance and Company secretary | Vivo Energy Ghana PLC
Legal and compliance manager | Genser Energy Ghana Limited
Special aide to the governor and advisor - corporate governance and stakeholder management | Bank of Ghana
Legal affairs manager | Eni Ghana Exploration & Production Ltd
Company secretary and Deputy head, legal | Star Assurance Group Limited Company
Legal counsel and Company secretary | Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC
Director, legal and corporate affairs | Cenpower Generation Ltd
Divisional head, general internal services and Company secretary | Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Ltd
CEO and Group head, legal and compliance | Regulus Investments & Financial Services Ghana Limited
Executive head, legal and Company secretariat | Bank of Africa - Groupe Bank of Africa
Senior manager, commercial legal and Company secretary | MTN Ghana
Country lead, legal and corporate affairs | Anheuser-Busch InBev
Chief risk, legal and compliance officer | Prudential Life Insurance Ghana
Head of legal and compliance and Board secretary | Imperial General Assurance
I am honoured to introduce Legal 500’s GC Powerlist: Ghana 2026, in recognition of leading in-house counsel across the country. Legal 500 is delighted to celebrate such an impressive co-hort of lawyers and mark their achievements, providing a platform to recognise the invaluable role that in-house counsel play in today’s legal and business landscape.
It is a role that has developed and shifted significantly in recent years, as geopolitical, technological and economic trends continue to fluctuate: ‘modern in‑house counsel have to navigate rapidly evolving and unpredictable environments’, says Afua Oduro Asante, Global director: compliance, labour and employment law and incidence management at Mastercard Foundation. This development positions legal teams as more than purely gatekeepers within their organisations, but rather as a key cog in business operations.
The modern in-house counsel must continue to add to their skill set, in line with this evolution. Adaptability and agility, therefore, are essential attributes for today’s in-house counsel. Eugene Gilbert Amponsah, Head of legal at CalBank PLC, argues that agility is ‘perhaps the most defining attribute that the modern in-house counsel must develop and demonstrate’. Abena Fordjour Acquah, Senior manager, legal affairs at MTN GlobalConnect Solutions Ltd (Bayobab), agrees, pointing out that ‘it’s important to be agile and quick to adapt because laws, technology, and business priorities change fast.’
And awareness of business objectives has become another integral part of the in-house role. Legal teams must be agile enough to provide advice that is both legally and commercially sound. In-house lawyers are increasingly relied upon to advise the organisation in a way that drives growth and aligns with and enables business strategy.
‘Ultimately, a modern in-house counsel sees themselves as a strategic partner, combining legal expertise, commercial insight, and practical problem-solving to help the business grow while remaining compliant and responsible’, Naa Shiokor Boi-Bi-Boi, Head of legal and compliance and Company secretary at Vivo Energy Ghana PLC reminds us.
Isabel Caine
On 1 September, Legal 500 unveiled the third edition of the GC Powerlist: East Africa, in partnership with leading African law firm ENS. Hosted at the Sankara Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, the event brought together many of the region’s most accomplished in-house lawyers to celebrate a distinguished community of legal leaders shaping the future of business across East Africa.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks from Giulio Tomassi Galanti, Business Development Manager at Legal 500, who highlighted the importance of recognising the dynamic growth and increasing sophistication of the East African legal market. He also reflected on the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series, congratulating this year’s honourees for their exceptional contributions to both the legal profession and the organisations they serve.
Following this introduction, Mahesh Acharya, Managing Partner of ENS Kenya, addressed the audience to commend the individuals recognised in the 2026 edition.
The launch of the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026 proved a fitting celebration of the region’s leading in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth of expertise, influence, and innovation within East Africa’s corporate counsel community, while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s research process and to ENS for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these outstanding legal professionals.
On Thursday, 3 September, Legal 500 will host the second launch event celebrating the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026 at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. Building on the success of the Nairobi launch, the event will bring together many of region’s most accomplished in-house counsel and senior legal leaders to recognise their achievements and celebrate the continued growth and influence of the region’s corporate legal community.