Ghana’s Political Legalism: A Cause for Concern?
Ghana’s political and governance landscape is increasingly becoming synonymous with the legal profession. Lawyers dominate critical sectors, even those requiring specialized expertise such as agriculture, technology, and education. While legal expertise is crucial in shaping policies and ensuring regulatory compliance, the extent of legal dominance in governance raises serious concerns about the nation’s developmental trajectory.
At the heart of this issue is a long-standing perception in Ghanaian society: “Lawyers are all-knowing.” It is almost an unspoken rule that if one seeks power, influence, and access to state resources—the so-called “national cake”—a law degree is the golden ticket. After all, many of Ghana’s political elite are trained lawyers, and the path to influence often involves securing a role in one of the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
But should a law degree be a prerequisite for power? And is this trend unique to Ghana, or is it a norm across Africa?
Is This an African Norm?
Ghana is not alone in its lawyer-dominated governance system. Across Africa, legal professionals have historically been at the forefront of political leadership. Nelson Mandela, Paul Kagame, Uhuru Kenyatta, Cyril Ramaphosa, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Hakainde Hichilema—while not all lawyers—had strong legal advisors shaping governance. In many African nations, the legal profession is deeply intertwined with political structures, but the extent of influence varies.
- Nigeria has seen a similar trend, with lawyers occupying top government positions, yet sectors like technology and agriculture still allow room for domain-specific experts.
- Kenya balances legal influence with technocrats, ensuring that professionals in fields such as education and health take charge of their respective ministries.
- South Africa integrates lawyers into governance, but economic and industrial leaders also have significant influence in shaping policies.
Ghana, however, appears to be an extreme case where the legal fraternity is not just involved in governance but dominates it—sometimes at the expense of expertise in crucial development areas.
The Consequences: A Nation at Risk?
When legal professionals drive governance, without input from technical experts, the risk is a policy-making vacuum that fails to address the real challenges in critical sectors. Consider the following:
- Agriculture: Ghana’s economy heavily relies on agriculture, yet policies are often crafted by legal minds rather than agricultural economists or industry professionals. This gap hinders innovation and sector growth.
- Technology: With the digital revolution transforming global economies, Ghana’s tech industry requires forward-thinking, tech-savvy leadership, not legal theorists.
- Education: A sound educational policy should be driven by seasoned educators and educationists, yet legal professionals frequently dictate policy directions.
Without a shift towards a more expert-driven governance structure, Ghana risks continued decline, with policies that serve political and legal interests rather than national development.
The ‘National Cake’ Syndrome: Law as a Means to Power
Why do so many young people see law as the best route to influence? The answer lies in Ghana’s political and economic system, where lawyers, particularly those aligned with major political parties, often secure lucrative government positions. This trend is evident in:
- Ministerial appointments: Many key ministries are headed by legal professionals rather than specialists.
- Board appointments: Government and state-owned enterprises are often chaired by lawyers rather than industry experts.
- Judicial and regulatory influence: Lawyers not only dominate the judiciary but also influence business regulations, making legal training an attractive tool for power.
For many, the legal profession is less about practicing law and more about securing political influence. This perception fuels a system where law degrees are not necessarily about justice but about access to economic and political privilege.
The Way Forward: Expertise Over Politics
Ghana needs a paradigm shift in governance. While lawyers play a crucial role in policy and lawmaking, they should not monopolize leadership in sectors where specialized knowledge is essential. The following steps can help rebalance governance:
- Empower Technocrats: Professionals in health, education, agriculture, and technology must be at the forefront of decision-making.
- Reduce Political Favoritism: Government appointments should be based on expertise rather than party loyalty.
- Encourage Cross-Disciplinary Leadership: Leadership should be a blend of legal, economic, technological, and scientific minds.
- Change the National Mindset: Ghanaians must move away from the belief that law is the only path to influence and wealth.
Until these changes happen, the legal profession will continue to be seen as a political stepping stone rather than a justice-driven calling, and Ghana risks stagnation in critical sectors due to lack of specialized leadership.
The question remains: Will Ghana break this cycle, or will it continue to be a country where becoming a lawyer is the surest way to a taste of the national cake?
