Accra, Ghana: The Parliament of Ghana has passed the Legal Education Reform Bill, 2025, abolishing the Ghana School of Law entrance examination and opening up professional legal training to accredited universities in a landmark shift.
The new law ends the long-standing monopoly of the Ghana School of Law and introduces sweeping reforms aimed at expanding access, decentralising legal training, and strengthening oversight of professional law education across the country.
A key provision of the legislation removes the mandatory entrance exam that has historically limited admission into the Ghana School of Law, replacing it with a more inclusive framework.
Under the new system, accredited universities will offer a Law Practice Training Course designed to prepare graduates for a unified National Bar Examination.
New regulatory framework
The law establishes a Council for Legal Education and Training to regulate institutions, approve curricula, and ensure uniform standards nationwide.
The Council will also oversee the transition from a centralised training model to a decentralised system involving multiple universities, marking a fundamental restructuring of Ghana’s legal education pipeline.
Supporters of the reforms say the move addresses longstanding concerns over limited admission slots at the Ghana School of Law, which has for years taken in only a fraction of qualified law graduates.
Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga told Parliament that the legislation reflects government’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity.
“Qualified law graduates should not be denied professional training due to limited space or restrictive entry requirements,” Ayariga said.
Policymakers argue that allowing universities to deliver professional training will significantly expand capacity, reduce bottlenecks, and democratise access to the legal profession.
Despite broad support, debate on the Bill exposed political divisions.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin backed the need for reform but criticised the government for what he described as selective implementation of campaign promises.
He urged authorities to apply the same urgency to other commitments made to voters.
The passage of the Bill now sets the stage for a transition period, during which universities will seek accreditation to offer the Law Practice Training Course.
Regulators will also be tasked with operationalising the new Council and ensuring that expanded access does not compromise professional standards.
Legal experts warn that the success of the reforms will hinge on effective regulation, quality assurance, and consistency in training across institutions.
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