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Betty Mould-Iddrisu Leads Renewed Call for Intestate Succession Law Reform at 40-Year Milestone

Former Attorney-General and Founder of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Ghana, Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, has called for the urgent passage of Ghana’s long-delayed Intestate Succession Amendment Bill, warning that the country’s 40-year-old inheritance law no longer adequately protects modern Ghanaian families.

She made the call at a public lecture organized by AWLA-Ghana at the UPSA Auditorium on Tuesday, December 18, 2025.

According to her, although the Intestate Succession Act, 1985 (PNDCL 111) was revolutionary at the time of its passage, societal changes over the past four decades have exposed significant gaps that demand immediate legislative attention.

The lecture, held under the theme “The Intestate Succession Act, 1985 (PNDCL 111) @ 40: Relevance, Challenges and Emerging Issues,” brought together members of the Bench and Bar, Members of Parliament, state attorneys, gender advocates, academics, civil society organisations, and students.

Hon. Mould-Iddrisu described PNDCL 111 as one of the most consequential social legislations in Ghana’s legal history, noting that prior to 1985 widows and children—particularly within matrilineal and patrilineal inheritance systems—were routinely disinherited, evicted from matrimonial homes, and left without financial security.

“Neither spouse had a right to the property of the other, even where there was clear contribution,” she said, recalling how customary successors often locked widows out of their homes and failed to provide for children after the death of a spouse.

Hon. Betty Mould-Iddrisu who is also a member of Council of State noted that the law fundamentally altered those injustices by legally recognizing the rights of spouses and children to a share of an intestate estate.

Dr. Francisca Kusi-Appiah, Vice-Dean of the UPSA Law School, added that while PNDCL 111 marked a significant shift, the law has not kept pace with contemporary family structures.

“The definition of ‘family’ in 1985 was narrow; today’s reality includes blended families, informal unions, and complex property arrangements. Our legal framework must reflect this evolution,” she stressed.

Mrs. Sheila Minkah-Premo, Managing Consultant of ALC Law Consultants and Convener of the Affirmative Action Coalition, emphasized the gender dimension: “PNDCL 111 was progressive for its time, but women still face systemic barriers in inheritance disputes.

Reform is critical not just for fairness, but for societal stability.”

Mercedez Konadu Mari, Principal State Attorney at the Office of the Attorney-General, in her response to panel questions, noted that the government recognizes the urgency of legislative review.

“We are conscious of the gaps identified and are working toward a legal amendment that balances equity, family security, and cultural realities,” she said.

Background: PNDCL 111

The Intestate Succession Act, 1985 (PNDCL 111) was enacted to regulate the distribution of property when a person dies without leaving a will.

Before its passage, inheritance was governed by customary law, which often left widows and children vulnerable.

The Act grants statutory rights to spouses and children and defines the order of distribution among surviving relatives.

Despite its impact, critics argue that the law has become outdated and does not adequately protect modern family configurations or reflect changing societal norms.

Hon. Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, Member of Parliament (MP) for Awutu Senya East and representative of Women Caucus noted the societal cost of inaction: “Every day that this law remains unamended, families face uncertainty, and women in particular are left exposed. Parliament must act decisively.”

The public lecture concluded with a call for collaboration between legislators, legal practitioners, gender advocates, and civil society to ensure that the Intestate Succession Amendment Bill is passed without further delay, modernizing inheritance laws for the benefit of all Ghanaians.