Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has underscored the need to maintain high standards in legal training as Ghana implements sweeping reforms under the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170).
The Central Law School of Central University on Thursday, 11 June 2026 hosted a high-level colloquium that brought together judges, legal practitioners, academics, policymakers, students and regulators to discuss the future of legal education in Ghana.
Held at the Christ Temple Campus in Abossey Okai, Accra, the event focused on the implementation of the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170), institutional readiness, accreditation requirements and reforms aimed at reshaping professional legal training in the country.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie stressed the importance of producing lawyers who demonstrate competence, integrity, professionalism and credibility.
He noted that while the new legal framework seeks to expand access to professional legal education, quality and standards must remain paramount.
The Chief Justice explained that the reforms introduced under Act 1170 are intended to create broader opportunities for aspiring lawyers while ensuring that legal education institutions operate within robust academic and professional standards.
In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Central University, Professor Samuel Kwasi Dartey-Baah, called for a modern and future-oriented legal education system capable of preparing lawyers for an increasingly complex and technology-driven world.
He emphasised that legal education must be built on strong institutions, quality faculty, adequate infrastructure, intellectual rigour, African values and a commitment to justice and public service.
According to him, the ultimate goal of legal education reform should be to produce lawyers equipped to address contemporary challenges while upholding the highest ethical standards.
Chairman of the event and Founder of MountCrest University College, Mr. Kwaku Ansa-Asare, commended Central University for organising the colloquium and stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in advancing excellence in legal education and professional development.
Dean of the Central University Law School, Professor Kenneth Agyemang Attafuah, who hosted the colloquium, reaffirmed the School’s commitment to contributing to national discussions on legal education reform and supporting the development of a legal profession capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing society.
Discussions during the colloquium centred on expanding access to legal education, strengthening quality assurance mechanisms, promoting research and scholarship, and aligning legal training in Ghana with international best practices.
Participants also examined accreditation frameworks, institutional governance structures and innovative approaches to legal training as Ghana seeks to strengthen its position as a leading centre for legal education and scholarship in Africa.
The event attracted representatives from several law faculties and institutions, including GIMPA, KNUST, Pentecost University and UPSA, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening legal education through innovation, cooperation and the exchange of ideas.
The colloquium marked another significant step in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to reform legal education and foster greater collaboration among institutions as the country implements the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170).
