UBIDS graduates 70 law students, ready to run Pre-Bar programme from September

The University of Business and Integrated Development Studies is preparing to begin its newly accredited one-year Pre-Bar Professional Law Course in September after graduating a fresh batch of law students in Wa.

The General Legal Council has approved the university to run the programme under the Legal Education Act, 2026.

The approval makes UBIDS one of 19 institutions across the country accredited to offer the new Pre-Bar course.

The announcement was made during the university’s Second Congregation Ceremony for the School of Law and the Special Graduation Ceremony for the School of Graduate Studies.

At the ceremony, UBIDS graduated 70 Bachelor of Laws students, made up of 61 males and nine females.

The latest graduating class brings the total number of law graduates produced by the university’s School of Law to 133.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile described the development as a historic moment for the university and legal education in the northern part of the country.

He said the accreditation positions UBIDS to contribute more directly to the training of future lawyers under Ghana’s reformed legal education system.

Prof Derbile encouraged prospective law graduates to enrol in the university’s Pre-Bar programme when it begins.

He also highlighted the performance of the university’s pioneer LLB graduates in the Ghana School of Law entrance examination.

According to him, 28 out of 42 candidates, representing nearly 70 per cent, passed the entrance examination and are currently pursuing professional legal training.

The university also conferred postgraduate degrees on 298 students from the School of Graduate Studies.

They included eight PhD graduates and 290 master’s degree graduates.

Chairman of the UBIDS Governing Council, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor, said the ceremony reflected the growing stature of the university as a centre of excellence.

He said education remains one of the strongest tools for building a prosperous, inclusive and democratic society.

Dr Kunbuor commended the university’s management, faculty and staff for their work despite infrastructure challenges.

He noted that growing enrolment in public universities continues to place pressure on lecture halls, laboratories, accommodation and other teaching and learning facilities.

He, however, expressed confidence that government support and stronger public-private partnerships would help improve conditions.

Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who was the Special Guest of Honour, praised UBIDS for its progress despite limited resources.

He described the university as a major blessing to Northern Ghana and the nation.

Mr Bagbin welcomed the legal education reforms, saying they had opened up professional legal training beyond the old monopoly.

He congratulated UBIDS for securing accreditation to run the Pre-Bar programme.

The Speaker also announced plans to donate law books to the university’s School of Law.

He further pledged support for infrastructure development and the establishment of additional professional schools, including a medical school.

Delivering the valedictory address, Overall Best Graduating Student Roger Yelkumwin Zolko-Ere said graduation was not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new stage of responsibility.

He paid tribute to lecturers, parents, guardians and colleagues for their support.

He also appealed to senior lawyers and legal practitioners to mentor the new graduates as they prepare for professional legal training and eventual admission to the Bar.

Mr Zolko-Ere urged his colleagues to pursue excellence and use their legal education to promote justice, protect rights and contribute to national development.