General Legal Council admits 1,568 new lawyers to Ghana Bar

The General Legal Council (GLC) officially admitted 1,568 newly qualified lawyers to the Ghana Bar on October 9, 2026. The 63rd Call to the Bar ceremony, held at the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) Christ Temple in Teshie, Accra, marked the formal enrolment of the new practitioners as Barristers and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Ghana. This cohort is significant as it represents the final group to be inducted under the country's outgoing legal education framework before a transition to a new system.

Among the inductees were several high-profile figures, including four Members of Parliament and three media practitioners. Notable names called to the Bar include Minister of Communication Samuel Nartey George, Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and former Eastern Regional Minister Seth Acheampong. The media was represented by prominent broadcast journalist Umaru Sanda Amadu of Citi FM, alongside former JoyNews journalists Richard Kwadwo Nyarko and Ayisha Ibrahim. For Umaru Sanda, the achievement capped a journey from his roots as a cattle herder to a legal professional, a milestone he documented as a testament to perseverance.

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who presided over the ceremony, delivered a charge to the new lawyers emphasizing the importance of integrity and the pursuit of justice. He urged the legal professionals to use their training to defend the vulnerable and advocate for fairness, rather than using the law as a tool for the abuse of power. The Chief Justice stressed that the success of Ghana’s legal education system is measured by the quality and ethical conduct of the lawyers it produces, rather than the sheer volume of practitioners entering the field.

Judicial Secretary Musah Ahmed underscored the transition from academic study to professional practice, reminding the inductees of their responsibilities as officers of the court. Additional perspectives were offered by legal personality Samson Lardi Anyenini, who called on the new lawyers to maintain humility, respect the courts, and be truthful to their clients. As these 1,568 lawyers begin their careers, they are expected to uphold the rule of law and address the barriers created by poverty and privilege within the Ghanaian justice system.