By: Sarah Baafi
Former Court of Appeal Judge, His Lordship Isaac Delali Duose, has called for a major rethink of Ghana’s legal education system, arguing that the newly signed Legal Education Reform Bill must go beyond structure and address real-world access, professional specialisation, and delays in justice delivery.
Speaking during a panel discussion on GTV, the retired judge warned that public expectations around legal practice are often misplaced, with many assuming that all law graduates are automatically destined for litigation.
He explained that modern legal systems are increasingly specialised, with distinct professional tracks such as advisory corporate practice, prosecution, advocacy, and judicial careers unlike Ghana’s current flexible system where practitioners can shift across roles.
Justice Duose also pointed to structural challenges in legal education and practice, stressing that access to law schools and professional opportunities remains uneven, particularly for students from outside major urban centres like Accra.
He argued that talent in the legal profession is not determined by financial background or geographical location, and urged reforms that ensure equal opportunity for students regardless of their origin.
Beyond education, he raised concerns about delays in legal and injury-related cases, noting that prolonged processes involving case management systems and procedural steps can take years before resolution, by which time victims may already have suffered irreversible harm.
According to him, such delays risk undermining public confidence in the justice system and highlight the need for more efficient case handling mechanisms.
Justice Duose further suggested that legal reform should also consider modern developments such as artificial intelligence and global shifts in legal training, ensuring that Ghanaian lawyers are equipped for emerging challenges.
He concluded that the Legal Education Reform Bill presents an opportunity to modernise the profession, widen access, and improve efficiency but only if implementation goes beyond policy and addresses real systemic gaps in practice.
