The University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL) has formally commenced its Pre-Bar Course with a week-long orientation programme designed to prepare participants for the mandatory pre-professional courses introduced under Ghana’s new legal education framework.
The orientation, which commenced on Monday, 14th September 2026, was held in a hybrid format, with participants attending in person at the UGSoL Auditorium and others joining virtually through an online platform. The orientation provided participants with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the structure and expectations of the Pre-Bar Course, as well as the academic, professional and ethical standards expected of them as they transition from undergraduate legal education into professional legal training.

Delivering the opening and welcome address on behalf of the Dean, Mr. William Kofi Demitia, Acting Head of the Department of Public Law at UGSoL, described the Pre-Bar Course as a bridge between academic and professional legal education. He explained that the prescribed courses comprise Company Law, Commercial Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Family Law, and Interpretation of Deeds and Statutes. According to him, the programme is intended to provide participants with a grounding in these areas while equipping them with the skills required to navigate a professional legal training environment. Mr. Demitia also highlighted the University of Ghana School of Law’s longstanding contribution to legal education and professional training in Ghana. He noted the School’s strong record in preparing students for professional legal education and expressed the expectation that the new cohort would demonstrate a high level of commitment and academic performance.

Addressing candidates on the second day of the orientation, the Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, Prof. Peter Atudiwe Atupare, spoke about the School’s standing within Ghana and the wider African legal education landscape. Prof. Atupare highlighted the University of Ghana’s distinguished legal alumni, including serving and former Justices of the Supreme Court, and noted that candidates joining the Pre-Bar Course were becoming part of a longstanding community of legal scholarship and professional excellence.
The Dean also reflected on the evolving structure of legal education and the need for a training system that supports broader access to professional legal education. He contrasted the new approach with the previous system, under which prospective candidates faced a highly competitive entrance examination and encouraged candidates to approach the Pre-Bar Course with confidence and discipline, emphasising that a strong understanding of the law, rather than an exclusive focus on grades, is essential to succeeding in the legal profession.

The Pre-Bar Course Coordinator, Ms. Phoebe Ayitey, also took participants through the rules, regulations and code of conduct governing the course. Her presentation covered important aspects of participants’ responsibilities, including appropriate dressing, classroom participation, punctuality and general conduct. The session was intended to ensure that candidates clearly understood the standards expected of them.

The newly introduced Pre-Bar Course forms part of the transition under the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170). It is intended as a temporary measure to bridge curricular gaps arising from the implementation of the new legal education framework. The course is expected to be phased out once accredited law faculties have fully integrated the statutory reforms into their academic curricula. As the first cohort begins this new phase of professional legal education, the University of Ghana School of Law remains committed to providing a structured and rigorous learning environment that prepares participants for the demands of legal practice and professional training.