Renowned lawyer and law lecturer Thaddeus Sory has raised pressing concerns about the credibility and transparency of Ghana’s legal education system, alleging that some individuals are being called to the Bar without meeting the required academic or attendance standards.
Speaking on the matter, Mr. Sory expressed disbelief at how certain individuals manage to qualify as lawyers despite having professional schedules that make consistent attendance at the Ghana School of Law virtually impossible.
He questioned the integrity of the system, noting that the school’s policies demand regular attendance, active participation, and the completion of specific coursework before one becomes eligible for the Bar. Yet, he said, some candidates appear to bypass these standards without explanation.
Mr. Sory described the current process—where students from various universities gain admission into the Ghana School of Law through entrance exams and interviews—as opaque and vulnerable to manipulation.
He argued that this system breeds suspicion and undermines public confidence in the integrity of the country’s legal training and qualification process.
Call for a Unified National Bar Examination
To address these concerns, Mr. Sory proposed the introduction of a single national bar examination for all law graduates, regardless of their university of origin. This, he said, would ensure a level playing field and eliminate the influence of discretion or favoritism in determining who qualifies to practice law.
According to him, the Ghana School of Law could still continue its training mandate, but admission into the Bar should be determined solely by performance in the national exam, overseen by an independent examining body.
He emphasized that such a reform would not only enhance transparency and fairness but also restore public trust in the integrity of the legal profession.
Reconsidering the Role of the General Legal Council
Responding to concerns that a unified exam might reduce the authority of the General Legal Council (GLC), Mr. Sory disagreed, insisting that the Council already has a wide range of regulatory responsibilities that would remain intact.
He noted that the GLC’s focus should be on setting professional standards, enforcing ethics, and ensuring compliance within the legal sector, rather than being deeply involved in the day-to-day administration of legal education.
Mr. Sory’s comments come amid ongoing national debate over the accessibility, fairness, and transparency of legal education in Ghana — a system that has long faced criticism for limited entry slots, alleged favoritism, and the lack of a standardized qualification framework.
His proposal for a national bar examination could mark a turning point in efforts to reform legal education, creating a more transparent, competitive, and merit-based process for future lawyers.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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