Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo stated that Ghana’s new legal education reforms must prioritize producing competent and ethical lawyers. Her Ladyship Justice Akuffo made these comments on Tuesday, May 26, during the inauguration of the Advisory Board for the Central Law School in Accra.
She stressed that the reforms can significantly strengthen Ghana’s justice system if implemented correctly. Justice Akuffo’s remarks highlighted the importance of focusing on the calibre and standards of lawyers rather than merely increasing their numbers. This approach aims to ensure high ethical standards and proficiency within the legal profession.
This development follows President Mahama’s signing of the Legal Education Reform Bill, 2025, into law just two weeks prior. This new legislation formally ends the Ghana School of Law’s 66-year monopoly on professional legal training. The law now permits accredited universities and institutions to offer professional legal education programmes, decentralizing access to legal training. This reform represents a major shift in Ghana's legal landscape, intended to expand opportunities and improve the overall quality of legal practitioners. The move aligns with broader efforts to modernize educational sectors and enhance professional standards across the country.
Justice Sophia Akuffo, who now chairs the eleven-member Advisory Board of the Central Law School, affirmed the institution's readiness to operate under this new legal framework. She emphasized that the goal is to produce lawyers who will positively contribute to Ghana’s justice delivery system. “We should be looking at the calibre, the quality, the standards, the ethics and so on and so forth,” she told Asaase News. She also warned against those motivated purely by wealth: “If your motivation is, ‘I want to become a very rich lawyer,’ forget it. Ghana can do without you.”
The Advisory Board's primary focus will be to shape the curriculum and guarantee that Central Law School trains professional, ethical, and nation-serving lawyers. Professor Kwesi Dartey-Baah, Vice-Chancellor of Central University, confirmed the university's commitment to aligning with the new reforms. He expects the Central Law School to meet the requirements of these reforms while delivering quality legal training. Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, Dean of the Central Law School, stated the Board would help improve student outcomes and strengthen professional training. The eleven-member Board will enhance scholarship, ethical training, and prepare for accreditation under the new framework.
These reforms are poised to reshape Ghana's legal profession, impacting judicial efficiency and citizens' access to justice. The shift from a monopolized system to one allowing multiple accredited institutions is expected to foster competition and improve educational quality. Stakeholders will be closely watching how these changes affect the pipeline of legal talent and the overall integrity of the justice system. The success of this new framework will depend on rigorous oversight and a sustained commitment to ethical standards and professional competence.