How many lawyers does Ghana need?
Seeing people you once taught put on their wigs and gowns brings a special satisfaction. You remember their questions, their struggles, and their determination. Their achievement becomes part of your reward for teaching. Around this time, a familiar question returns to the public space: “Are we producing too many lawyers?” It is a fair question. What is curious is how readily we offer answers without establishing the context or examining the data. Too many lawyers for which roles, in which locations, and measured against what demand? Over two decades ago, as I prepared to enter university, my brother-in-law, Kofi Agamah, connected me with Mr Egyir Croffet at the University of Ghana’s Counselling and Placement Centre to help me decide what to study. One of the tools Mr Croffet and his colleague, Mr Wiafe, used during that process was the United States’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Handbook explains what people in different occupations do, their working conditions, the education and training typically required, median earnings, and projected employment prospects over the coming decade. It also points readers towards similar occupations.