Accra, Ghana – Effective immediately, entrance examinations for admission into law schools across Ghana have been abolished following the assent of the Legal Education Reform Bill, 2025. The change, announced by Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor on Monday, May 11, 2026, signifies a major shift from the previous system, ending the Ghana School of Law’s 66-year monopoly on professional legal education and standardizing admission processes across all accredited institutions.
End of an Era: The Ghana School of Law’s Monopoly Dissolved
For decades, aspiring legal professionals in Ghana faced a highly competitive entrance examination administered primarily by the Ghana School of Law. This new legislation, signed into law by President John Dramani Mahama on May 11, 2026, dismantles this long-standing gatekeeping mechanism.
The reform allows other accredited universities to offer professional legal education programmes. This move is a direct response to years of advocacy from legal education stakeholders and campaigners who argued that the previous system created significant and unnecessary barriers to entry into the legal profession.
Standardization and Accreditation: Ensuring Quality and Access
The reforms aim to strike a balance between maintaining high academic standards and expanding access to legal education. According to Mr. Dafeamekpor, the admission standards and processes will now be harmonized across all accredited law schools.
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