Know your role – Dafeamekpor to judges criticising Legal Education Bill
Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has called on members of the judiciary who have expressed reservations about the proposed Legal Education Bill to ensure their concerns are framed in a constructive manner that contributes to strengthening Ghana’s legal training framework.
Speaking on Face to Face on Channel One TV on Tuesday, February 17, the Majority Chief Whip stressed that while differing opinions are welcome in a democratic system, it is important for critics, especially judges, to clearly distinguish the capacity in which they are speaking or opposing the bill.
According to Dafeamekpor, the debate surrounding the Legal Education Bill must remain focused on improving legal training, access, and professional standards rather than being clouded by institutional tensions.
“Judges don’t make laws. It is Parliament that makes laws. They [judges] interpret the laws, they don’t teach the law as judges, they teach the law as teachers.
“They should stop confusing their role as teachers with their role as judges. I think it is one of the problems we have. If you are criticising the bill as a teacher, you say so, then we will tell you that these are the principles behind the introduction of the bill.”
The Legal Education Bill currently before Parliament seeks to reform Ghana’s legal education system, which has for years been criticised for limited access to professional training, overcrowding at the Ghana School of Law, and inconsistencies in admission procedures.
The bill is expected to provide a clearer regulatory framework for legal education by defining the responsibilities of institutions involved in training lawyers, strengthening oversight mechanisms, and introducing new pathways for professional qualification.
One of its central objectives is to expand opportunities for law graduates to complete professional training while maintaining standards set by the legal profession.
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