“Ghana’s Overemphasis on Law Education: A Barrier to Development”

Story by Fada Amakye

Ghana’s educational landscape is facing a pressing issue – an overabundance of law students and a scarcity of professionals in critical fields such as engineering, medicine, and technology. According to Alhaji Seidu Agongo, a businessman and philanthropist, this imbalance poses a significant threat to the nation’s development.

With approximately 11,000 lawyers, Ghana has one lawyer for every 2,000 citizens. However, the country is struggling to produce enough engineers, doctors, and scientists to drive economic growth and development. Many engineering and science departments in Ghanaian universities graduate fewer than ten students annually.

This phenomenon has led to a concerning trend – the exodus of critical professionals. A recent study revealed that 71.8% of Ghanaian doctors intend to emigrate, citing poor working conditions, low pay, and limited career progression opportunities.

Agongo emphasizes the need for Ghana to rebalance its national priorities, investing in technical education and retaining critical professionals. He advocates for making professions like neurosurgery, robotics engineering, and renewable energy expertise as prestigious as law.

By prioritizing technical education and aligning curricula with industry needs, Ghana can build a more diversified economy and create opportunities for lawyers to contribute to national development. As Agongo aptly puts it, “Let us not become a nation of brilliant litigators arguing over broken systems. Let us build a Ghana where prestige meets productivity.”