Lawyer-Politicians Must Put Professional Ethics Above Party Loyalty, Kpebu Warns

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has issued a stark warning to Ghana's newly qualified lawyer-politicians, urging them to prioritise professional ethics and integrity over party loyalty as they navigate dual careers in law and politics.

Speaking following the 63rd Call to the Bar ceremony held on Friday, 9 October 2026, at the ICGC Christ Temple in Accra, Mr Kpebu cautioned the 1,568 newly admitted lawyers—including several prominent government figures and media personalities—that political affiliation must never compromise their responsibilities as legal practitioners.

The Risk of Disciplinary Action

Mr Kpebu emphasised that lawyer-politicians who allow party interests to overshadow professional standards face serious consequences. He warned that the General Legal Council, Ghana's regulatory body for the legal profession, has the authority to sanction errant lawyers, including withdrawing their practising licences.

"If the Minister doesn't place the ethics of the profession high above party loyalty and were to get involved or embroiled in the law and there's a conviction, sometimes even short of a conviction, depending on what the minister does, he can be reported to the General Legal Council and if the council finds that that conduct is below par, the minister lawyer would be sanctioned, including the licence being withdrawn," Kpebu stated.

He cited the ongoing case against former Attorney-General Godfred Dame, who faced a complaint over his alleged conduct in the Jakpa matter, as a cautionary example. Mr Kpebu highlighted how disciplinary proceedings—even before formal conclusions—can inflict severe reputational damage and cause significant personal stress.

Why It Matters for Ghana

The emergence of lawyer-politicians in Ghana's governance structure raises important questions about the nation's institutional integrity. Among those called to the Bar in October 2026 were Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations Minister Samuel Nartey George and Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, both of whom now hold dual responsibilities as lawyers and cabinet members.

This trend reflects a broader pattern in Ghanaian politics, where individuals with legal training occupy senior government positions. However, as Kpebu's intervention suggests, such arrangements create potential conflicts of interest. When politicians-turned-lawyers must enforce laws or make policy decisions that could affect their parties' interests, the line between professional duty and political loyalty can blur dangerously.

The Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, addressing the ceremony, reinforced this message by urging newly qualified lawyers—especially those in public-facing roles—to treat the law as a public trust and uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity. His remarks underscore the judiciary's expectation that legal professionals, regardless of their political affiliations, must remain independent advocates for justice.

Ghana's legal profession carries significant responsibility in a democracy. When lawyers abandon professional ethics for political gain, public confidence in the rule of law erodes. The Godfred Dame case, which has dominated headlines and demonstrated that even the nation's chief law officer is not exempt from scrutiny, sends a powerful signal about the profession's commitment to accountability.

Moving Forward

For Ghana's newly qualified lawyer-politicians, the message is unambiguous: professional credentials come with non-negotiable obligations. Party membership does not supersede the rules governing legal practice. As these individuals assume roles that could shape Ghana's legal and political landscape, maintaining that separation will be critical to preserving public trust and ensuring that the law serves all Ghanaians fairly, not just those in political favour.