As esquire season approaches: Three things to know about the 2026 Call to the Bar
The 2026 Call to the Bar is expected to bring a potentially record number of new lawyers and move both the ceremony and its dinner to new venues.
Another “esquire season” is approaching. On Friday, October 9, 2026, a new group of lawyers is expected to be called to the Ghana Bar.
The Call to the Bar has become more than a ceremony for new lawyers and their families. Its fashion, celebrations and guest lists draw wider public attention, as do questions about how many lawyers are admitted each year. This year, three features are likely to attract particular interest.
1. A potentially record number of new lawyers
More than 1,400 people are expected to be called to the Bar this year. If confirmed, that would make the 2026 ceremony the largest Call to the Bar in Ghana’s history. The Ghana School of Law reports that 12,226 lawyers have been enrolled since 1963. Adding 1,400 would bring that figure to approximately 13,626. The final total will depend on the number admitted at the ceremony.
2. A new venue for the ceremony
After many years at the Accra International Conference Centre, the ceremony is expected to move to the 5,000-seat auditorium of the International Central Gospel Church at Teshie, Bush Road. The larger venue should provide more space for the new lawyers and their families and friends.
3. A new setting for the Call dinner
The Call dinner, traditionally held ahead of the main ceremony, is also expected to take place at a different venue this year: the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. It will add another occasion for the new lawyers and their guests to mark the milestone.
The Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, leaders of the Ghana Bar Association and members of the General Legal Council are among the dignitaries expected at the Call to the Bar. With a potentially record intake and changes to both venues, this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be a notable one.
