The Ghana Law Society, a new association for lawyers in Ghana, has been officially launched by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. The launch took place at the maiden edition of the association's Annual Bar Conference in Accra on September 30, 2026. The conference brought together members of the legal profession, the Judiciary, Parliament, government, and other stakeholders to discuss the theme: "Legal reforms — the place of the Ghanaian lawyer."
The Speaker, Mr. Bagbin, emphasized that the Ghanaian lawyer has historically contributed to constitutional development, human rights, commerce, public administration, diplomacy, and parliamentary work. He described the lawyer as an "architect of the Republic," saying they have a responsibility to examine not only what the law is but also what it ought to become. Mr. Bagbin noted that the country is engaged in constitutional and institutional reforms and that the legal profession has a responsibility to contribute to the process.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, highlighted that legal reform should be viewed as an economic issue, as the effectiveness of the legal system has implications for investment, business, and economic activity. He said businesses need enforceable contracts, farmers need certainty over land ownership, while young innovators need clear rules on areas such as data, digital assets, and artificial intelligence. Dr. Debrah also mentioned that the government has embarked on several reforms, including the Legal Education Act, 2026, and the constitutional review process.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, stressed that the success of the country's legal reform agenda would depend partly on the role lawyers choose to play in the process. He urged lawyers to contribute to legislative drafting, the reform of state contracts, public financial management, disciplinary reform, and access to justice. Dr. Ayine also called for professional independence, saying lawyers' associations need to maintain their independence from political parties and the State.
The President of the Ghana Law Society, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, identified the concentration of lawyers in a few urban centers as a major challenge confronting the legal profession. He noted that Ghana has fewer than 8,000 lawyers with active practicing certificates, with more than 72 percent practicing within Accra, Kumasi, and Tema. Mr. Dafeamekpor announced a proposed 12-month structured national service program for newly qualified lawyers to address the issue.
The proposed national service program aims to post fresh lawyers to district assemblies, Legal Aid offices, CHRAJ offices, the Judicial Service, Lands Commission offices, and regional offices of the Attorney-General to provide legal services and support justice delivery. Mr. Dafeamekpor also mentioned that the GLS would pursue reforms in legal education, national service for newly qualified lawyers, mandatory pro bono work, digitization, specialization, professional welfare, and legal scholarship.
The Ghana Law Society's reforms are intended to ensure that the legal profession becomes more responsive to the needs of citizens and the changing demands of the country. The launch of the GLS and the proposed reforms aim to promote legal reforms, improve access to justice, and enhance the role of lawyers in Ghana's development. The association's efforts will be crucial in shaping the future of the legal profession in Ghana.
Key points
- The Ghana Law Society has been launched to promote legal reforms and improve access to justice in Ghana.
- The legal profession has a responsibility to contribute to constitutional and institutional reforms in Ghana.
- The Ghana Law Society aims to pursue reforms in legal education, national service, and professional welfare to enhance the role of lawyers in Ghana.
