At the GBA Conference in Ada on Monday, September 14, former Ghana Bar Association (GBA) president Sam Okudzeto denounced Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine for launching a proposed Legal Practitioners’ Standard Board Bill without first consulting the legal profession. Okudzeto said the move was a surprise and that the government cannot make decisions affecting lawyers without their views.
Speaking to JoyNews, Okudzeto warned that “it’s a wrong approach to legislation. If you want to make a law affecting people, you consult them first.” He added that the AG, appointed by the President, did not have the mandate to act on behalf of the Bar without its input.
Okudzeto, who has 63 years of legal experience, recalled a traditionally cordial relationship between the Bar and the Attorney General’s Department, but argued that the current proposal bypassed the customary consultation process. He urged that lawyers and judges be involved in discussions on matters that affect the profession.
Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Srem‑Sai, countered that the bill had not yet reached the stage where consultation was required. He explained that the process allows for pre‑consultation when drafting the bill and further consultation before it is presented to Parliament. He said Parliament itself provides another opportunity for input.
Despite the AG’s assurances, Okudzeto maintained that decisions affecting the legal community should not be made by a single person. He defended the role of the GBA Council as the representative body for lawyers nationwide.
The debate highlights the tension between the executive’s legislative agenda and the profession’s demand for inclusive dialogue. The Standard Board Bill will continue to move through the drafting and parliamentary stages, where further consultations are expected.
