Parliament has adopted the report of the Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee recommending major reforms to expand access to legal education and promote training for legal professionals across the country.
The Legal Education Reform Bill was laid before the House on October 24, 2025, by the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Dominic Ayine.
Presenting the explanatory memorandum and motion, Mr Ayine explained that the legislation aims to end the long-standing monopoly of the Ghana School of Law as the sole institution for training lawyers, while improving quality and access to legal education.
Contributing to the debate, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga (MP for Bawku Central) said the Bill proposes the establishment of a National Council for Legal Education.
The Council would:
Issue accreditation to law faculties in universities
Supervise a national bar examination
Ensure fair and equitable entry into the legal profession
Mr Ayariga emphasised that the reforms would create a level playing field for qualified persons wishing to become lawyers, thereby expanding opportunities nationwide.
Members from both the Majority and Minority sides welcomed the expansion of access to legal education but stressed that standards must not be compromised.
They called for strong mechanisms to protect the integrity, quality and professionalism of the legal profession during the transition.
The adoption of the committee’s report marks a significant step toward reshaping legal education in Ghana, balancing wider access with the maintenance of high professional standards.
The Bill now moves to the next stage in the legislative process, where it will undergo further scrutiny and debate before possible passage into law.
