The National Association of Law Students (NALS) has opposed a move by the Ghana Legal Council (GLC) to admit only 800 law students this year, although a total of 2,500 students are expected to sit the entrance examinations.

In a press release dated January 17, 2022, the leadership of the Association said the predetermined effort to micromanage the number of students who gain access to the various law schools in the country is prejudicial.

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced during his budget statement presentation that the Ghana School of Law (GSL) will conduct an entrance exam for 2,500 applicants, from which 800 students are expected to be admitted.

He added that the GLC will handle 180 disciplinary proceedings against lawyers this year.

“In 2022, the Ghana School of Law expects to conduct entrance examinations for 2,500 applicants and anticipates to admit 800 students into the Ghana School of Law while 700 students are expected to be called to the Bar,” he said.

But the law students are not happy with the admission list, which they say will “keep the ‘privilege’ perspective of a few against the overall needs and interest of the country.”

“NALS is vehemently opposed to the paragraph 1055 in the 2022 budget and economic policy statement of the Government of Ghana where an admission limit of 800 has been made for over 2500 students/LLB holders expected to sit the hitherto disputed entrance exam in 2022.”

“NALS finds the predetermined number prejudicial and is unwilling to support the same. NALS calls on all persons to oppose same. This is the time to stand together for change and reforms that are not oppressive; for the interest and welfare of Ghana and the Ghanaian must remain protected,” they said.

Meanwhile, the 499 law students who were denied admission into the Ghana School of Law (GSL) have been successfully enrolled to pursue their professional education.

This was contained in the press release by NALS. It added that their admission and orientation processes were held on Friday, January 14, 2022.

“NALS wishes all students well in the continuation of their legal education, be it at the GSL, the faculties of law of the various Universities in Ghana or any other university or school of law across the globe.”

“Going forward, NALS estimates that by the recently established trend, in about some 150 days to 190 days, the processes for the admission to the GSL for the 2022/2023 academic year will have to take place, yet, with so much uncertainty.”