Akufo-Addo, Tsatsu Tsikata, others mark 50 Years at the Ghana Bar
July 8, 2025, marked exactly 50 years since a distinguished group of Ghanaian legal professionals were called to the Bar, a milestone that has sparked reflection on the enduring contributions of this cohort to Ghana’s legal and judicial landscape. Their influence spans litigation, academia, governance, legal reform, and judicial leadership.
Among those called to the Ghana Bar in 1975 are prominent names such as Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Fui Tsikata, Nana Ato Dadzie, Tsatsu Tsikata, Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe, and Kojo Bentsi-Enchill. Other members of this celebrated class include Francis Buor, Nii Osah Mills, Alex Bafuor Gyimah, Devine K.D. Letsa, Nana Adjei Ampofo, Kofi Adu Labi, Larry Bimi, Kofi Akainyah, Yaw Barimah, Mrs. Emma Amakye, Peter Addo, Ennin Nsaful, Felix Ntrakwah, and Robert Tachie-Menson.
Several members from this year group later crossed from the Bar to the Bench and are not listed here due to their subsequent judicial careers. Nevertheless, their collective legacy has helped shape the legal system of Ghana across decades of development.
Kojo Bentsi-Enchill, through his private legal practice, established what is widely regarded today as Ghana’s leading law firm. Tsatsu Tsikata and Fui Tsikata significantly influenced legal academia and corporate law, while Nana Ato Dadzie rose to national prominence as Chief of Staff during the Rawlings administration. Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe served on all three superior courts—High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court—becoming a respected figure in Ghana’s judiciary.
Perhaps the most high-profile of the cohort, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, not only built a formidable legal reputation through landmark constitutional cases but also served as Ghana’s President from January 2017 to January 2025, under the Fourth Republic.
Their legacy also speaks to the regulatory and professional framework of legal practice in Ghana. Legal education and practice are overseen by the General Legal Council (GLC), the statutory body responsible for administering legal training and licensing practitioners. The GLC, chaired by the sitting Chief Justice, includes senior Supreme Court Justices, the Attorney-General, members of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), and other key legal stakeholders.
Traditionally, the GLC holds its formal Bar enrollment on the first Friday of October each year to admit candidates who have passed the Professional Law Examination. Practicing law in Ghana requires a license issued by the GLC, and practicing without such a license is deemed an offence.
The licensing process is conducted with assistance from the GBA, and lawyers must renew their licenses through the GBA’s regional offices. The GLC reserves full rights to issue, suspend, or revoke licenses.
As Ghana marks five decades since the 1975 call to the Bar, the achievements of this class remain deeply woven into the fabric of Ghana’s legal system. From shaping legislation and representing clients in high-stakes cases to holding some of the most influential offices in the country, these legal minds have left an indelible mark on the nation.
This article was sourced from Asaaseradio.com.
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