Expanding Ghana’s legal education system could significantly improve access to justice nationwide, but only if strict quality controls are enforced, legal scholar Kwaku Ansa-Asarehas said.

Speaking on Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (12 May), Ansa-Asare said reforms aimed at decentralising professional legal training offer an opportunity to address longstanding bottlenecks that have limited entry into the legal profession.

For decades, thousands of law graduates have been unable to progress due to limited capacity at the Ghana School of Law.

Ansa-Asare argued that increasing admissions could help redistribute legal professionals across the country, including rural and underserved communities.

“If we increase numbers and maintain quality, everyone can have access to a lawyer,” he said.

The reforms effectively end the centralised training model, allowing multiple institutions to participate in professional legal education.

Ansa-Asare described this as a necessary evolution, noting that the previous system concentrated training in a single institution, restricting access.

However, he raised concerns about enforcement gaps, particularly around student attendance and academic integrity.

He warned that without independent monitoring mechanisms, corruption could infiltrate the system.

“Some students may bypass the system through money if we are not careful,” he said.

He proposed stronger verification systems to ensure that institutions accurately report student participation and performance.

Despite decentralisation, Ansa-Asare expressed confidence that national standards could be maintained through coordinated curriculum development and regulatory oversight.

He pointed to provisions in the law that empower authorities to enforce quality assurance frameworks.

Ultimately, he said the success of the reforms will depend on implementation.

“The goal is not just more lawyers, but competent lawyers,” he added.