To become a lawyer in Ghana, one must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in law from an accredited university or institution. After completing the undergraduate program, aspiring lawyers must then enroll in the Ghana School of Law, where they undergo a two-year professional law course. This program equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to practice law in Ghana.
Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are required to pass the bar examination administered by the Ghana School of Law. Only those who pass this examination are admitted as lawyers and are eligible to practice law in the country.
There are basically two career paths that one can take to become a lawyer in Ghana:
- Apply for a law degree after acquiring a first degree from a recognised tertiary institution Or
- Apply directly (as a Wassce applicant) to the Faculty of Law of any recognised public or private university after completing SHS.
Here is how to start your law career
In order to become a law student in any of the law schools in Ghana, you need to obtain, first:
1. A degree (4-year duration). Any degree will do if it is awarded by a recognised institution/faculty in a university or institution which offers a law degree: either public or private. Institutions include UG, KNUST, GIMPA, Zenith, Mount Crescent (there are a few private arrangements for the ‘London Law Degree’).
2. After your first degree, you can enroll into one of the above-named institutions to obtain a law degree – LLB. It usually has a 2-year duration. After obtaining the LLB (subject to certain conditions), you may qualify to enroll in the Ghana School of Law. This is for the Professional Law Course (2-year duration).
- Applying as a Wassce applicant (that is, after completing SHS)
- Students who apply with their Wassce certificates can apply to the Law Faculty of a recognised institution offering a law degree.
- After obtaining a law degree (LLB), you may qualify to enroll in the Ghana School of Law. This is for the Professional Law Course (2-year duration).
You need to qualify from the Law school after two years of professional studies and be called to the Ghana Bar to become an eligible, practising lawyer.
However, if you are already qualified as a lawyer in another common law jurisdiction, you will have to do about 6 months course in the law school.
Institutions and Colleges that offer a Law degree
Accredited institutions offering Law degrees include: UG, KNUST, UCC, GIMPA, UPSA, Zenith University College, Mount Crescent University College,Central University College, Wisconsin International University College,Kings University College, etc.
Law Schools in Ghana
How many years does it take to study law in Ghana?
To become a lawyer in Ghana could take a total of six years for most WASSCE applicants. However, for those who already have a first degree and want to study law, it depends on the university you obtain the law degree (LL.B) from. It could be two, three or four years depending on the university you attend.
Is Law a lucrative profession in Ghana?
According to one renowned lawyer, Mr. Joe Aboagye Debrah: A lot of people (who study law) may mostly be interested in the money they can make out of it. But increasingly, many young people are entering the profession with the objective of using the law as a tool for effective social change in the country.
The positive side of it is that the legal profession is much respected. Lawyers have a certain status in the society and it is possible to make a good living from your work. Being a lawyer in Ghana guarantees you a certain security and enhanced social status.
