Professor Raymond A. Atuguba, a prominent legal scholar and former Dean of the University of Ghana School of Law, has been appointed Acting Director of Legal Education at the General Legal Council (GLC), effective September 1, 2025.
The appointment was confirmed following a directive from Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who has recalled Justice B.Y.K. Oppong of the Court of Appeal from his role as Director to resume full judicial duties on the bench. Justice Oppong had been at the helm of the GLC’s professional legal education programme since his appointment, overseeing critical administrative and academic responsibilities.
In a letter dated August 8, 2025, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie expressed appreciation for Justice Oppong’s “significant contribution” to legal education, acknowledging his role in guiding the institution through an evolving legal training landscape. He further disclosed that a search committee will soon be constituted to appoint a substantive Director.
“I wish to thank you for the significant contribution you made to professional legal education during your time as Director of Legal Education,” Justice Baffoe-Bonnie stated in the letter.
Prof. Atuguba, who is widely recognised for his work in constitutional law, governance, and social justice, brings a wealth of experience to the position. A former Executive Secretary to the President of Ghana (2012–2013), he has also served as a visiting scholar at several international universities and played advisory roles on legal reform projects across Africa.
His appointment comes at a pivotal time for Ghana’s legal education system, which has been under intense public scrutiny amid calls for reform. Key issues dominating national discourse include expanding access to professional legal training, modernising curricula, enhancing infrastructure at law schools, and improving transparency in admissions.
The GLC, which regulates legal education and the professional conduct of lawyers in Ghana, has faced mounting pressure from law students, academics, and civil society to implement changes aimed at making legal training more inclusive and responsive to modern legal practice.
Prof. Atuguba’s leadership is expected to play a crucial role in steering these reforms, balancing the Council’s mandate to uphold standards with the urgent need for broader access and innovation in legal training.
