Ghana doesn't need a legal profession divided against itself - Bagbin tells GLS and GBA

Parliament Speaker Alban Bagbin has emphasized the need for legal reforms that tackle real issues and enhance the justice system for ordinary Ghanaians. In his address at the Ghana Law Society's inaugural Bar Conference, Bagbin stressed that legal reform should be evaluated based on its impact on citizens, rather than merely the number of laws passed. He highlighted that legislation must address a problem, expand justice, improve accountability, and safeguard citizens' rights and liberties.

Bagbin cautioned against passing laws that cannot be effectively implemented, stating that a well-crafted Act of Parliament left unenforced is merely an elegant promise. He also pointed out that constitutional rights might remain unreachable for certain citizens if they lack the practical means to assert them. The Speaker urged stakeholders to consider how the justice system operates in practice, asking questions about access to justice, court resources, case resolution times, and remuneration for justice officials.

Lawyers, according to Bagbin, have a crucial role in shaping Ghana's legal and constitutional framework. He urged them to not only practice existing laws but also question their relevance in a changing society. The lawyer should be an architect of the republic, possessing the courage and imagination to envision the law's future.

Bagbin noted that technological advancements, commerce, crime, the environment, and social activities are presenting new challenges to legal systems. He emphasized that a legal system that fails to evolve with society risks losing its relevance.

However, Bagbin cautioned against treating reform as change for its own sake. He stressed that reform must not be synonymous with change for its own sake, urging lawyers and stakeholders to evaluate proposals based on their feasibility, enforceability, and long-term consequences. He emphasized that fundamental questions of constitutional coherence, democratic legitimacy, implementation, institutional capacity, and long-term consequences must be addressed. Bagbin concluded by stating that uncomfortable questions lay at the heart of reform.