By Grace Zigah
Legal proceedings in courts across the Greater Accra Region are expected to be affected on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, following the approval by the Chief Justice for lawyers to be excused from attending court in order to participate in the Ghana Bar Association’s 2026 Law Week activities.
The directive, issued by the Office of the Judicial Secretary, grants legal practitioners within the Greater Accra Region permission to be absent from court proceedings on the specified date to enable them to attend the Conference and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme, one of the flagship events marking the Ghana Bar Association’s 2026 Law Week celebration.
In a circular dated 2 July 2026 and signed by the Judicial Secretary, Musah Ahmed, all judges and magistrates were informed that the decision followed a formal request submitted by the Greater Accra Branch of the Ghana Bar Association.
According to the circular, the Bar Association, in a letter dated 6 June 2026, appealed for legal practitioners to be excused from court attendance to allow them to fully participate in the conference and mandatory professional development programme organised as part of the association’s annual Law Week activities.
The Judicial Secretary stated that he had been directed by Chief Justice Paul Baffoe Bonnie to communicate the approval to all judges and magistrates within the jurisdiction.
The circular noted that the approval applies specifically to legal practitioners practising within the Greater Accra Region, and judges have accordingly been notified to take note of the arrangement when managing court proceedings on the affected date.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has become an integral component of legal practice in Ghana, requiring lawyers to undertake periodic training programmes aimed at updating their legal knowledge, professional skills and ethical standards.
The annual Law Week celebration organised by the Ghana Bar Association also serves as a platform for legal practitioners to deliberate on developments in the justice sector, judicial reforms and emerging legal issues affecting the country.
The temporary excusal from court attendance is therefore intended to enable lawyers to fulfil their professional obligations while participating in activities designed to strengthen legal practice and improve the administration of justice.
Although the directive is expected to affect some court sittings involving lawyers in Greater Accra, it forms part of the Judiciary’s continued collaboration with the Ghana Bar Association in promoting professional development within the legal profession.
Parties with matters scheduled for July 14 may therefore experience adjournments or rescheduling where the attendance of legal practitioners is required.
