The University of Ghana School of Law (UGSoL) on Thursday, 30th July 2026, hosted the Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series, an initiative designed to strengthen engagement with the School’s alumni while creating a platform for critical reflection on legal education, judicial practice, and the future of the legal profession in Ghana.
The lecture attracted a distinguished audience comprising members of the Bench and Bar, legal practitioners, academics, students, alumni, and the general public. Hosted by the Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, Professor Peter Atudiwe Atupare, and expertly emceed by renowned broadcaster and current UGSoL student, Mr. Nathaniel Attoh, the event reaffirmed UGSoL's commitment to advancing legal scholarship, fostering meaningful dialogue, and strengthening the connection between academia and legal practice.

The programme began with a student debate on the motion, “Should Morality Influence the Law?” which examined the constitutional, legal, and societal implications of morality in lawmaking, with students presenting contrasting perspectives on Ghana’s proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation. The session showcased the analytical rigour, advocacy skills, and critical thinking that continue to define legal education at UGSoL while encouraging respectful engagement on contemporary legal issues.
Delivering the first keynote lecture, His Lordship Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana and Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, provided a comprehensive reflection on the evolution of legal education and the legal profession in Ghana.

Drawing on his extensive judicial, academic, and professional experience, Justice Adjei traced the historical development of Ghana’s legal system from the colonial era through the establishment of formal legal education and the reforms that have shaped professional legal training. He highlighted key milestones, including the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876, the Legal Practitioners Ordinance, the Legal Practitioners Act of 1958, and the Legal Profession Act of 1962, explaining their significance in the development of Ghana’s legal framework.
Reflecting on contemporary reforms, Justice Adjei examined the implications of the Legal Education Act, 2026 (Act 1170), which introduces a new framework for legal education and professional training. He encouraged stakeholders within the legal education space to remain committed to maintaining quality, integrity, and excellence while adapting to evolving demands within the profession.
The second keynote address was delivered by His Lordship Justice Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana, who spoke on the theme “The Architecture of Effective Justice.”

Justice Kulendi reflected on his personal journey through legal education and professional practice before examining the three critical pillars that sustain an effective justice system: the stewardship of the Bench, the advocacy of the Bar, and the trust of the people.
Emphasising that justice derives its legitimacy from public confidence, His Lordship noted that judicial authority is exercised in trust for the people and must continually be strengthened through integrity, professionalism, accessibility, and accountability.
Using statistics from Ghana’s superior courts, Justice Kulendi highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that remain within the justice system. While acknowledging improvements in case management, he reminded participants that behind every pending case are individuals, families, businesses, and communities awaiting legal certainty and resolution.

Turning his attention to the legal profession, Justice Kulendi challenged lawyers to pursue excellence beyond numerical growth. He noted that the strength of the profession is not measured merely by the number of practitioners but by the quality, competence, and ethical standards they uphold.
“A nation is not better served merely because it has more lawyers. It is better served because it has better lawyers.”
He further encouraged legal practitioners to remain conscious of their dual responsibility to their clients and to the broader administration of justice, emphasising the importance of integrity, fairness, and service in maintaining public trust.
The lecture also brought together eminent members of the judiciary, academia, legal profession, government, and industry, reflecting the strong connections between UGSoL and the wider legal community.

In his remarks, Prof. Atupare reaffirmed the School’s commitment to creating platforms that promote intellectual exchange, celebrate alumni achievements, and inspire future generations of legal professionals. He noted that the Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series provides an opportunity to draw on the experiences of accomplished alumni and legal practitioners to enrich conversations on the future of law and justice.
As a mark of appreciation, the Dean presented gifts to Justices Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei and Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi in recognition of their invaluable contributions to legal education, judicial scholarship, and the advancement of justice.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Kenneth Ghartey, lecturer at the University of Ghana School of Law and a member of the organising committee. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the distinguished speakers, members of the Bench and Bar, students, faculty, invited guests, and all whose contributions ensured the success of the event. 
UGSoL acknowledged the generous support of sponsors, including Ali Nakyea & Associates, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and BOST Energies, whose partnership ensured the successful execution of the programme.

The event was climaxed  with a networking cocktail, providing alumni, students, faculty, and legal practitioners an opportunity to reconnect, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional relationships.
The Distinguished Alumni Lecture Series represents another significant step in UGSoL’s commitment to advancing legal scholarship, promoting intergenerational dialogue, and creating platforms that contribute to the continuous development of legal education and the administration of justice in Ghana and beyond.
As Ghana’s premier law school, UGSoL continues to champion excellence in legal education while celebrating the achievements of its alumni and fostering conversations that shape the future of the legal profession.