A total of 1,568 newly qualified lawyers were called to the Ghana Bar on Friday, October 9, 2026, at the General Legal Council’s annual Call to the Bar ceremony in Accra. Among them were Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George and Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
The cohort is almost double the 824 lawyers called to the Bar in October 2025, and has been described as one of the largest single groups enrolled in recent years.
The General Legal Council (GLC), which regulates legal education and practice in Ghana, organises the ceremony each year. According to Yen.com.gh, this year’s event was held at the ICGC Christ Temple on the Teshie Bush Road in Accra.
Once called, the new lawyers are enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers, which allows them to practise law anywhere in Ghana.
1,568 new lawyers enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers
At the ceremony, the graduates took their professional oaths and swore to uphold the 1992 Constitution.
Reports ahead of the event said senior members of the judiciary, leading legal practitioners, government officials and families of the graduates were expected to attend.
The GLC has linked the size of the 2026 cohort to expanded capacity at legal training institutions and rising demand for legal services across the economy.
Sam George and Kofi-Buah among notable names called to the Bar
Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations and MP for Ningo-Prampram, was among the high-profile names called.
In a Facebook post marking the milestone, he wrote: “LORD, to You alone, be all the glory and honour. I lay it all before You!”
Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, was also listed among the inductees. Both ministers attended a black-tie Call to the Bar dinner in Accra on Wednesday, October 7, where Chief Justice Paul Baffour Bonnie was also present.
Mpraeso MP Davis Ansah Opoku and Citi FM broadcaster Umaru Sanda Amadu were also reported to be among those expected to be called.
How the 2026 Call to the Bar compares with 2025
The jump from last year is significant. In October 2025, 824 lawyers, including GHOne TV journalist Serwaa Amihere, were called to the Bar. GhanaTrends covered that ceremony in Serwaa Amihere called to the Bar among 824 new Ghana lawyers.
- 2025 Call to the Bar: 824 new lawyers
- 2026 Call to the Bar: 1,568 new lawyers
- Increase: 744 more lawyers
- Percentage increase: about 90%
What the new lawyers mean for Ghana’s legal profession
A larger intake adds to the number of lawyers available to the public, businesses and state institutions.
The new lawyers are expected to take up roles in public institutions, private law firms, the corporate sector and non-governmental organisations across the country.
For many families, the ceremony marks the end of years of study and professional examinations at the Ghana School of Law and other legal training institutions.
The presence of serving ministers and an MP in the cohort has also drawn wide public attention, with many Ghanaians congratulating them on social media.
What happens next for the newly called lawyers
Having been enrolled, the new lawyers can now appear in court and practise as barristers and solicitors in Ghana.
Many are expected to begin careers in chambers, legal departments and public service in the coming months. Ministers and MPs among them will continue in their current public roles.
Key details at a glance
- Event: 2026 Call to the Bar ceremony
- Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
- Location: Accra (ICGC Christ Temple, Teshie Bush Road, according to Yen.com.gh)
- Organiser: General Legal Council
- Number of new lawyers: 1,568
- 2025 figure: 824 lawyers
- Notable names: Sam George, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah
FAQs
How many lawyers were called to the Bar in Ghana in 2026?
A total of 1,568 newly qualified lawyers were called to the Ghana Bar on October 9, 2026. That is up from 824 in 2025.
Has Sam George been called to the Bar?
Yes. Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George was called to the Ghana Bar on October 9, 2026, and marked the occasion with a message of thanks to God on Facebook.
Who organises the Call to the Bar in Ghana?
The General Legal Council organises the annual Call to the Bar ceremony. It enrols new lawyers on the Roll of Lawyers so they can practise in Ghana.
The 2026 Call to the Bar added 1,568 lawyers to Ghana’s legal profession, nearly twice last year’s number, with ministers Sam George and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah among the most prominent new members of the Bar.
