Ghana's Dr Sylvia Adusu becomes first African woman elected to ITLOS

Ghana has secured a historic place on the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea following the election of Dr Sylvia Ama Adusu as a judge of the global maritime court.

Her election makes her the first African woman to serve on the Hamburg-based tribunal.

Dr Adusu will sit on the court for a nine-year term from 2026 to 2035.

She was elected by states parties under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which established the tribunal to resolve disputes relating to the use, protection and governance of the world’s oceans.

The development is being described as a major diplomatic success for Ghana and a landmark moment for African representation in international justice.

Her election follows a sustained campaign by Ghana to secure support for her candidature across different regional blocs.

Government officials and members of the legal community say the outcome reflects growing confidence in Ghana’s contribution to international law, diplomacy and peaceful dispute resolution.

The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is made up of 21 judges drawn from different regions of the world.

It hears disputes involving maritime boundaries, navigation, fisheries, protection of the marine environment and the use of ocean resources.

Judges of the tribunal are elected on the basis of their competence in international law and matters relating to the law of the sea.

Dr Adusu’s election is therefore seen as recognition of her legal expertise and experience in international legal practice.

Her candidature was endorsed by the African Union, reflecting continental confidence in her professional standing, technical competence and long-standing contribution to international law and ocean governance.

Dr. Adusu has made history as the first African woman to serve as a Judge of ITLOS, a milestone that would deepen Africa’s representation in international adjudication and bring a valuable gender perspective to the settlement of maritime disputes.

With over thirty years at the Bar, Dr. Adusu brings to the race a strong blend of academic depth, courtroom experience, diplomatic exposure and practical engagement in maritime boundary matters. Her professional journey spans international law, civil litigation, criminal prosecution, arbitration, human rights reporting and inter-state legal cooperation.

She holds a PhD in Law from Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, where her research focused on International Law and the Law of the Sea. She also holds an MPhil in International Relations from the Legon Centre for International Affairs, University of Ghana; a Postgraduate Diploma in International Law and Sustainable Development from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague; a Qualifying Certificate in Law from the Ghana School of Law; and a B.A. in Law and Sociology from the University of Ghana.

Dr. Adusu’s connection to ITLOS is both scholarly and practical. She was personally involved in the two major cases concerning Ghana before the Tribunal: the “ARA Libertad” case between Argentina and Ghana and the Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire maritime boundary delimitation dispute. In the Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire case, she served as Co-Counsel and was also a member of the negotiating team that worked on the maritime boundary dispute between the two countries.

Her experience also includes work on Ghana’s Continental Shelf Delineation Project, which successfully submitted a claim for the extension of Ghana’s continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles. She currently serves as a member of the Ghana Boundary Commission, which negotiates the delimitation of Ghana’s maritime boundaries with neighbouring states.

In her statement, Dr. Adusu described ITLOS as a pivotal independent judicial body established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, noting that the Tribunal has contributed significantly to the peaceful settlement of disputes and to international peace and security.

“I have a strong belief in the importance of UNCLOS as the legal framework for the oceans and its contribution to the peaceful settlement of international disputes related to the oceans,” she said.

She added that her direct involvement in Ghana’s ITLOS cases and her extensive research in the Law of the Sea had strengthened her desire to contribute to the Tribunal’s work.

“These experiences have awakened my aspiration to play a part in the work of ITLOS, in its pursuit of the peaceful settlement of disputes and assisting states to cooperate in the delimitation, sustainable exploitation of the resources of the oceans, and in the protection and conservation of the marine environment,” Dr. Adusu stated.

Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, strongly endorsed her candidature, describing her as a lawyer of high integrity, professionalism and exceptional public service experience.

“The Republic of Ghana, with its rich maritime history and vast offshore resources, has always upheld international law as the basis for its international relations,” Dr. Ayine said.

He noted that Ghana, as a State Party to UNCLOS, has consistently pursued the peaceful settlement of maritime boundary disputes with neighbouring countries in a spirit of cooperation and in strict fidelity to international law.

“I am therefore pleased to announce the nomination of Dr. Sylvia Adusu for the 2026 elections to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea,” he stated.

According to the Attorney-General, Dr. Adusu has provided invaluable legal advice to the Government of Ghana on a wide range of matters, particularly in relation to the Law of the Sea. He said her work with the Ghana Boundary Commission, as well as her participation in negotiations with neighbouring states, makes her especially well-positioned to serve on the Tribunal.

“This is also the first time a Ghanaian woman has been nominated as a candidate for elections to the ITLOS,” Dr. Ayine said. “I am confident that her nomination will bring to the Tribunal an opportunity to provide a gender perspective in international dispute settlement and could also provide inspiration for UNCLOS tribunals.”

Beyond maritime law, Dr. Adusu has represented Ghana in major international legal processes. In December 2024, she represented the Republic of Ghana before the International Court of Justice in the advisory proceedings on the obligations of states in relation to climate change. She is also Ghana’s focal point for the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime Review Mechanism, Chair of the Specialised Committee on the Revision of the Treaty Establishing the Gulf of Guinea Commission, and Chair of the Expert Working Group on the Enforcement of Suppression Orders in the Commonwealth.

Her legal portfolio includes international arbitration, ECOWAS Court matters, African Court proceedings, foreign litigation involving the Republic of Ghana, AU legal meetings, and joint cooperation engagements between Ghana and other African states.

Dr. Adusu has also contributed to legal education. She has taught at the University of Ghana School of Law, the Ghana School of Law, and Lancaster University. Her research and teaching interests cover maritime boundary delimitation, transboundary resources, activities in undelimited maritime areas, continental shelf issues, sovereign immunity and international dispute settlement.

Her recent conference papers include presentations on Tacit Agreement in Maritime Boundary Delimitation, Transboundary Resources, and Activities in Undelimited Marine Areas, delivered at the Summer Academy on the Continental Shelf in Arusha, Tanzania.

Ghana’s campaign for Dr. Adusu was therefore framed not only as a national nomination, but as a strategic African candidature grounded in competence, representation and institutional credibility. Her election would affirm Ghana’s long-standing commitment to rules-based international order, peaceful dispute settlement, sustainable ocean governance and equitable access to marine resources.