Stories and facts

The Ghana School of Law (GSL), established in 1958, has played a vital role in shaping Ghana's legal landscape, providing essential training for aspiring lawyers. Before its inception, Ghanaian lawyers typically received training abroad, mainly at England's Inns of Court. However, with Ghana's independence, the need for local legal education became evident, leading to the enactment of the Legal Practitioners Act of 1958 and the formation of the General Legal Council. Under the guidance of the first African Chief Justice, Sir Kobina Arku Korsah, Professor J.H. A Lang became GSL's first Director of Legal Education, laying the foundation for indigenous legal training.

GSL offers two primary training programs: the Professional Law Course (PLC) and the Post-Call Law Course. The PLC caters to LLB graduates who have passed the entrance exam, while the Post-Call Law Course serves Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians qualified in common law jurisdictions outside Ghana. Both programs equip graduates to practice law in Ghana.

Situated in Makola, Accra, GSL's main campus serves as the epicenter of legal education, with satellite campuses established in Kumasi, Legon, and UPSA. The Kumasi campus, inaugurated in November 2010 by Her Ladyship Mrs. Justice Georgina Theodora Woode, reflects GSL's commitment to widening access to legal education across Ghana.

All lawyers admitted to practice in Ghana automatically become members of the Ghana Bar Association, underscoring GSL's integral role in the nation's legal community. As GSL adapts to evolving educational dynamics, it remains dedicated to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals, contributing to Ghana's socio-economic progress.

Check out the history of the Ghana School of Law (GSL) below.