Napo Decries Legal Education Bill; Warns Against Political Control

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh (Napo), the New Patriotic Party’s 2024 vice-presidential candidate, has raised concerns about the proposed Legal Education Bill 2025.

He insists that legal education must stay under the core mandate of the General Legal Council, with the government playing a supportive, not directive role, in line with global best practices.

Napo stressed that the training of lawyers should be insulated from political control to protect the future of Ghana’s legal profession. In a social media post, he stated: “The Legal Education Reform Bill, 2025 is concerning. Legal education must remain the core mandate of the General Legal Council, with the government providing support, not direction… The future of Ghana’s legal profession must be protected, and the training of lawyers should never be subordinated to political control.”

About the Bill
The Legal Education Reform Bill 2025 aims to reform and expand access to legal education while upholding high standards. Key proposals include:
· Separating the regulation of legal education from the regulation of the legal profession.
· Strengthening the bar association’s role in setting and enforcing educational standards.
· Transferring professional legal education and training from the Ghana School of Law to accredited universities.
· Introducing a practical, skills-focused Law Practice Training Course at universities, followed by a National Bar Examination.