ICC appoints Ghanaian Lawyer as Special Adviser

Evelyn Ama Ankumah, a distinguished Ghanaian international lawyer and human rights advocate, has been appointed as a Special Adviser without portfolio to the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.

Ankumah is one of two African legal experts chosen for the position, alongside Judge Sanji Monageng of Botswana.

In an announcement made on Tuesday, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan highlighted that their “expertise will significantly strengthen the Office’s efforts on key issues,” noting that their involvement will bring valuable benefits to ICC stakeholders and staff.

“I am deeply grateful for their willingness to contribute their time, vast experience, and insightful perspectives,” Khan added.

Ms. Ankumah, founder of Africa Legal Aid (AFLA) in The Hague, brings extensive legal expertise from Africa, Europe, and North America. She has been a driving force behind initiatives advocating for gender-sensitive, victim-centered approaches to international criminal justice.

As a Research Fellow at Maastricht University, she authored a pioneering book on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The ICC’s statement also highlighted Ankumah’s influential role in shaping international legal frameworks, such as the Review of the Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression. She leads the Gender Mentoring Training Programme for judges and played a key role in the establishment of the International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA). Additionally, she is a member of the International Gender Champions Network.

Ankumah has authored six books and over 40 editions of the AFLA Quarterly journal, consistently advocating for justice, accountability, and human rights.

Judge Sanji Monageng

Dr. Sanji Monageng, with over 30 years of experience in law and human rights, served as an ICC Judge from 2009 to 2018, holding positions such as Appeals Division Judge and First Vice President. She has also served as a Judge in Eswatini and The Gambia, and was Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Dr. Monageng has received numerous accolades, including the 2014 Human Rights Award from the International Association of Women Judges.

The ICC emphasized that the Special Advisers, who volunteer their services, are selected for their exceptional professional credentials. Their appointment aims to create a diverse network of global experts, ensuring a mix of cultural, linguistic, and gender perspectives.

“Their specialized expertise will enhance the OTP’s capacity to fulfill its mandate under the Rome Statute and further strengthen the focus on priority issues identified by the Prosecutor,” the ICC statement concluded.