Accra: The Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170), recently assented to by President Mahama, has sparked discussions among Ghanaians regarding its implications for entrance exams in legal education. Concerns have arisen over whether the Act has retained or abolished the entrance exams for law students aspiring to enter the Professional Law Course at the Ghana School of Law (GSL).
According to Ghana Web, the confusion stems from misinterpretations of the new law by individuals attempting to explain its provisions to the public. The Act is clear in its intention, yet misunderstandings have led to misleading claims about the retention of entrance exams. The necessity for legislative reform came from the National Democratic Congress's (NDC) manifesto promises in 2020 and 2024, which aimed to expand access to professional legal education by accrediting certified law faculties to offer the Professional Law Course.
The NDC's manifesto did not explicitly state that entrance exams would be abolished. Instead, the reforms aimed to eliminate the need for such exams by accrediting more faculties to offer the course, thus expanding access and reducing the backlog of Bachelor of Laws (LLB) holders. The Act specifies that while entrance exams may be used for LLB admissions, the criteria for admission to the Law Practice Training (LPT) will be set by a Council, ensuring uniformity across institutions.
Section 45 of the Act outlines the admission requirements for LLB and LPT programs. While institutions can set their own criteria for LLB admissions, the Council will determine the requirements for LPT admissions. This differentiation aims to standardize the process and ultimately abolish entrance exams for LPT admissions, aligning with the NDC's manifesto goals.
The Act's definition of "law programme" includes both the Bachelor of Laws degree and Law Practice Training. However, the context provided in sections 45(3) and 62 clarifies that the Council will impose binding entry requirements for LPT, with an LLB being the sole criterion for entry. This context negates the need for entrance exams, thereby fulfilling the Act's purpose of expanding access and abolishing entrance exams for the LPT.
In conclusion, the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170), has effectively abolished entrance exams for the Law Practice Training by expanding access and setting uniform admission requirements through a Council. This change addresses the previous limitations in access to the Professional Law Course and aligns with the NDC's commitments to reform legal education in Ghana.