Accra: The Government of Ghana is set to introduce a transformative change in the country’s legal education system by replacing the Ghana School of Law with National Bar Exams. This initiative is part of a draft Legal Education Reform Bill that is expected to be presented to the Cabinet next month.
According to Ghana News Agency, the current system mandates the Ghana School of Law as the sole institution authorized to train professional lawyers in the country. The proposed National Bar Exams aim to decentralize this process, allowing universities with law faculties or law schools to train and produce lawyers for the nation. This change was announced by Dr. Ayine, the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General, during the Government Accountability Series press conference held at the Presidency in Accra.
Dr. Ayine emphasized the government’s commitment to resetting legal education to expand access. He highlighted that many Bachelor of Laws (LLB) holders are currently unable to pursue a legal career under the existing system due to limited access to the Ghana School of Law. The draft bill seeks to abolish this monopolistic system and introduce a more inclusive framework.
Under the new proposal, aspiring lawyers would undergo three years of legal education to obtain an LLB degree. Following this, they would enroll in a clinical legal education program or Bar practice course at their respective universities for an additional academic year. Upon completion, candidates would be eligible to take the National Bar Examination, similar to the process followed by the Chartered Institute of Accountants.
Dr. Ayine remarked, “It will be like what the accountants do. Like once you qualify to write the examination, the Chartered Institute of Accountants will administer the exams and everybody can write. And if you pass, you become a chartered accountant. That is what is going to happen in order to expand legal education in the country.”
The introduction of the National Bar Exams is expected to significantly enhance accessibility and provide a broader platform for legal education in Ghana.