Dafeamekpor Urges Judges to Stay Within Mandate in Legal Education Bill Debate

Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Member of Parliament for South Dayi, has advised members of the judiciary who have raised concerns about the proposed Legal Education Bill to present their views in a constructive way that supports improvements in Ghana’s legal training system.

Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV on Tuesday, February 17, the Majority Chief Whip noted that although dissenting opinions are essential in a democracy, it is important particularly for judges to clarify the capacity in which they are expressing their views or opposing the bill.

He explained that discussions around the Legal Education Bill should remain centered on strengthening legal education, widening access, and improving professional standards, rather than being influenced by tensions between institutions.

According to him, judges are mandated to interpret laws, not enact them, emphasizing that lawmaking is the responsibility of Parliament of Ghana. He added that when judges contribute to legal education debates as academics, they should make that distinction clear.

Dafeamekpor stressed that confusion between judicial duties and academic roles often creates unnecessary misunderstandings. He noted that if critiques are presented from an academic standpoint, proponents of the bill can respond by outlining the principles guiding its introduction.

The Legal Education Bill currently before Parliament aims to overhaul Ghana’s legal education framework, which has long faced criticism over limited access to professional training, congestion at the Ghana School of Law, and inconsistencies in admission processes.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a more defined regulatory structure by outlining the responsibilities of institutions involved in training lawyers, enhancing oversight, and creating additional pathways for professional qualification.

A key objective of the bill is to increase opportunities for law graduates to complete professional training while safeguarding the standards of the legal profession.