Lawyer and human rights activist Martin Kpebu has welcomed the passage of the Legal Education Reform Bill, saying it will expand access to legal services and help reduce the cost of hiring lawyers.
In an interview on Joy News, Kpebu explained that increasing the number of lawyers in Ghana will create a supply-and-demand effect, which should ultimately drive down legal fees.
Ghana currently faces a shortage of legal practitioners, he noted, leading to a “cash-and-carry” system where clients are often required to pay upfront before accessing legal services.
“The more we have lawyers in the system, the more it is going to make their prices come down,” he said.
Kpebu added that this upfront payment requirement prevents many people—particularly those with limited resources—from seeking legal representation.
He cited countries like the United States, where a high number of lawyers fosters competition, compelling practitioners to advertise their services to attract clients.
Addressing concerns that the Legal Education Reform Bill could lower professional standards, Kpebu argued that increased competition will instead encourage lawyers to improve their services.
He concluded that rather than reducing quality, the reform is likely to maintain or even enhance professional standards in the legal field.
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