Ghanaian advocate and arbitrator Nania Owusu-Ankomah named as new London Court of Arbitration Vice-President

Congratulations have flowed from across the African and international legal communities for Ghanaian lawyer Nania Owusu-Ankomah following the announcement that, effective from tomorrow, she will serve as a Vice President of the LCIA Court, the final authority for the proper application of the LCIA rules.

“Nania’s appointment is exceptionally well deserved.” shared Dr Abayomi Okubote, FCIArb, Executive Director of the Africa Arbitration Academy, yesterday. “Having worked with her through the [LCIA] African Users’ Council and on numerous arbitration and institutional projects over the years, I have seen first-hand her intellect, judgment, work ethic, and deep commitment to the development of international arbitration, particularly from an African perspective… I have no doubt she will make a remarkable contribution in this important leadership role.”

Last week the LCIA, the oldest arbitral body in the world dealing with international disputes, announced Nania had been promoted from Court Member to a Vice President of the LCIA Court, effective 20 May 2026, recognising her “highly valued contribution” to the Court and the LCIA more broadly. The LCIA praised her significant role in the leadership and development of the LCIA African Users’ Council. 

The LCIA also announced the appointment of three new Members of the LCIA Court: Carine Dupeyron (France), Shashank Garg (India), and Reza Mohtashami KC (UK).

“These appointments reflect the LCIA Court’s continued focus on excellence, diversity of experience, and institutional strength,” said Professor Maxi Scherer, President of the LCIA Court. “I am delighted to welcome Carine, Reza and Shashank as new Court Members, and to continue working with Nania in her new role as Vice President. Their combined international expertise and strong reputations will further enhance the Court’s vital role at the heart of the LCIA’s work.”

Nania has consistently distinguished herself as one of the leading arbitration practitioners of her generation and a strong voice for greater diversity, excellence, and institutional engagement within international dispute resolution, says the Africa Arbitration Academy, where she has served as Co-Leader with Dr Akubote of the Academy’s Task Force on Climate Change and Carbon Market Disputes in Africa.

“It is a privilege to take on the role of a Vice President of the LCIA Court,” shared Nania, among widespread congratulations from the dispute resolution community. “I look forward to continuing to support the LCIA’s important work and contributing to the development of international arbitration across its global community.”

A graduate of the University of Ghana in Accra, with an LLM in International Law from the University of Leeds in the UK, Nania is a partner at Ghanaian firm Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankoma, and is dual qualified in Ghana and England & Wales. 

An international arbitration and cross-border litigation practitioner, Nania regularly advises and represents clients in high value arbitration and litigation disputes, and sits as an arbitrator in both domestic and international arbitrations, in institutional and ad hoc proceedings. She has served as Chair of the Ghana Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, and is a member of the English Commercial Bar (COMBAR) Africa Committee, an Associate Member of 3 Verulam Buildings, a leading barristers’ chambers in London, and a member of the editorial board of Arbitration International journal (Oxford University Press), the official journal of the LCIA. 

Nania has also lectured in Alternative Dispute Resolution at the Ghana School of Law.