Justice Ackaah-Boafo Urges Legal Education Reforms to Prioritize Customary Law and Professional Standards

Justice Kweku T. Ackaah-Boafo of the Supreme Court has called for a fundamental shift in Ghana's legal education framework, emphasizing that the success of ongoing reforms must be measured by the competency of legal practitioners rather than their quantity. Speaking at the 13th Jurists’ Confab in June 2026, the Justice addressed the implications of the Legal Education Act, 2026, noting that while expanding access to legal training is a necessary goal, it must not come at the expense of high professional standards. He argued that the traditional debate framing access and quality as opposing forces is a misrepresentation, asserting that both are essential pillars for a functional justice system.

A central theme of Justice Ackaah-Boafo’s address was the critical need to integrate customary law more deeply into the legal curriculum. He warned that current reforms risk overlooking the practical legal needs of a significant portion of the Ghanaian population who live primarily under customary law systems. To bridge this gap, he advocated for a curriculum that equips future lawyers with specific, practical competencies in customary law, ensuring that the legal profession remains relevant to the daily lives and disputes of ordinary citizens. He stressed that professional training exists to protect the interests of the public, rather than to serve the prestige of the legal profession itself.

Looking ahead, the Justice challenged legal educators and stakeholders to view public service as the ultimate benchmark for the effectiveness of the Legal Education Act, 2026. He maintained that simply increasing the number of lawyers in the country will not automatically enhance access to justice unless those practitioners are properly trained to navigate the complex dualities of Ghana's legal landscape. By focusing on both inclusivity and rigorous standards, Justice Ackaah-Boafo believes Ghana can produce a new generation of lawyers who are both technically proficient and deeply grounded in the socio-legal realities of the communities they serve.