The Ghana Law Society, a new association for lawyers in Ghana, has been officially launched by 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, themed "Legal reforms—the place of the Ghanaian lawyer," brought together members of the legal profession, the Judiciary, Parliament, government, and other stakeholders. The event was attended by notable figures, including the Chief of Staff, Dr. Julius Debrah, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, and a representative from the Chief Justice's Office.
Speaker Bagbin emphasized that Ghanaian lawyers have historically contributed to constitutional development, human rights, commerce, public administration, diplomacy, and parliamentary work. He described lawyers as "architects of the Republic," with a responsibility to examine not only the existing law but also what it ought to become. Bagbin noted that the country is engaged in constitutional and institutional reforms, and the legal profession has a crucial role to play in this process. He cautioned that passing legislation alone does not produce justice and that legal reform should be measured by its impact on citizens' access to justice.
Chief of Staff, Dr. 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 emphasized that efficient laws can reduce risk, protect rights, and provide businesses with the certainty required to grow. Dr. Debrah mentioned that the government has embarked on several reforms, including the Legal Education Act, 2026, the Community Service Act, 2026, and the Tribunal Act, 2026. He called for attention to access to justice, commercial and regulatory certainty, and the preparedness of the legal profession for emerging technologies.
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, stressed that the success of Ghana's legal reform agenda depends 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 emphasized the importance of professional independence, stating that lawyers' associations should maintain their independence from political parties and the State. He also called for greater input from the legal profession in the government's constitutional review process.
Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, President of the Ghana Law Society, identified the concentration of lawyers in urban centers as a major challenge confronting the legal profession. He noted that Ghana has fewer than 8,000 lawyers with active practising certificates, with over 72% practising in Accra, Kumasi, and Tema. Dafeamekpor announced a proposed 12-month structured national service programme for newly qualified lawyers, under a partnership between the GLS and the National Service Secretariat. The programme aims to post fresh lawyers to district assemblies, Legal Aid offices, and other justice delivery institutions.
Dafeamekpor emphasized that the GLS will pursue reforms in legal education, national service for newly qualified lawyers, mandatory pro bono work, digitization, specialization, professional welfare, and legal scholarship. These reforms aim to make the legal profession more responsive to citizens' needs and the changing demands of the country. He called for a shift from the current urban-centric approach to a more inclusive and nationwide approach, stating, "We cannot continue to be a Bar of Accra, by Accra, for Accra. We must be a Bar of Ghana, by Ghana, and for Ghana."
The launch of the Ghana Law Society and the proposed reforms aim to enhance the legal profession and improve access to justice in Ghana. The association's efforts to promote legal reforms, increase the availability of lawyers in rural areas, and improve the quality of legal services are expected to have a positive impact on the country's justice system. The GLS's initiatives will require collaboration with various stakeholders, including the government, the Judiciary, and other justice sector institutions.
Key points
- The Ghana Law Society has been launched to promote legal reforms and improve access to justice in Ghana.
- The association aims to increase the availability of lawyers in rural areas and improve the quality of legal services.
- Proposed reforms include a national service programme for newly qualified lawyers and changes to legal education and professional welfare.
