Supreme Court@150: Sophia Akuffo Urges Quality-Focused Legal Education Over Mass Enrollment
Credit: CNR
Former Chief Justice of Ghana, Sophia Akuffo, has called for stronger emphasis on quality legal education and greater transparency in justice delivery, stressing that the strength of the country’s judiciary depends largely on the standard of its legal practitioners.
Speaking at the 150th anniversary celebration of the Supreme Court of Ghana on Thursday, April 16, she said legal education must prioritise quality over quantity to ensure a more competent and credible justice system.
According to her, while expanding access to legal training remains important, it should not come at the expense of producing well-trained professionals capable of upholding justice effectively.
“One thing we should be constantly looking at is the quality of legal education. Legal education must be focused on quality more than on numbers… if you have to sacrifice anything, sacrifice the numbers for quality. Because quality justice is more valuable than a thousand and ten thousand and millions of lawyers who are of low quality,” she said.
Justice Akuffo noted that a strong judiciary is built on the competence and integrity of its legal practitioners, adding that reforms in legal education must strike a balance between access and excellence.
She also underscored the need for transparency in the justice system, describing it as essential to accountability, integrity, and public confidence in the courts.
Reflecting on the role of judges, the former Chief Justice described the position as a heavy responsibility that demands continuous self-assessment, fairness, and a strong commitment to justice.
Justice Akuffo further stressed that judicial decisions remain the most important output of the courts, making it necessary to maintain high standards in legal reasoning and delivery.
She urged the judiciary to remain “fit for purpose” by adapting to changing public expectations while remaining anchored in constitutional values.
According to her, the judiciary must not only reflect on its achievements but also prepare for future challenges by strengthening its effectiveness, relevance, and credibility.
