Vincent Ekow Assafuah, the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, has voiced significant concerns that Ghana’s new legal education framework might indirectly reintroduce entrance examinations for aspiring lawyers. This warning follows interim directives issued under the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170), which replaced the former Independent Examinations Committee (IEC) entrance examination system.
The new framework outlines a multi-stage training pathway for legal professionals. LLB graduates must undertake a Pre-Bar Course, followed by a Law Practice Training Programme, and then sit for a National Bar Examination before receiving a call to the Bar. Mr. Assafuah's apprehension centers on how admission to the Pre-Bar Course will be managed. He notes that the directives allow institutions to determine entry based on their academic rules, capacity, and regulatory considerations.
This flexibility raises questions about potential inconsistencies across institutions and the re-emergence of entrance-style screening processes. Such a situation could contradict the original intent of Parliament, which sought to abolish the previous centralized entrance examination. The previous system allowed the General Legal Council to charge fees for these exams, which could have financial implications for students if internal institutional exams re-emerge.
Mr. Assafuah, who also serves as the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Youth and Sports Committee, issued a statement on Saturday, June 13, 2026. He cited Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as an example, where admission to its LLB programme already involves an entrance examination. He questioned if similar practices for the Pre-Bar stage would effectively reintroduce an entrance exam by another name. Any reintroduction of admission barriers could increase the financial burden on students. It could also limit access to legal education to a select few, impacting social mobility.
He further referenced the Supreme Court’s 2017 ruling in Asare v. Attorney-General & General Legal Council. This ruling emphasized that administrative directives cannot override statutory provisions. Mr. Assafuah argued that any transitional arrangements must strictly adhere to Act 1170. He cautioned against directly or indirectly recreating abolished requirements. This legal precedent highlights the importance of regulatory clarity and adherence to the law.
The MP also raised concerns about backlog students under the new system. He sought clarity on how universities would assess prior coursework and determine exemptions or repeat requirements across institutions. Ambiguities in implementation procedures could create uncertainty for thousands of law students. This directly affects their academic progression and future earning potential. Regulators must provide clearer direction on admission and progression standards.
Without detailed guidelines, the lack of clarity could lead to arbitrary decisions by institutions. This could impose unforeseen costs on students who might have to repeat courses or face additional fees. The implications extend to the legal profession itself, potentially affecting the diversity and quality of future lawyers in Ghana’s legal system. Mr. Assafuah intends to continue engaging stakeholders on thismatter. He is expected to provide further comments on the legal and policy implications of the new framework.