Ayine pushes Welfare Fund for lawyers

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr Dominic Ayine has called for the creation of a government-supported welfare fund to protect lawyers facing financial hardship, illness or retirement challenges.

He said the absence of a robust support system had left many legal practitioners, particularly young lawyers and sole practitioners, vulnerable when their careers or health suffered setbacks.

The proposal was announced in a speech delivered on his behalf by Deputy Attorney-General Dr Justice Srem-Sai at the Ghana Bar Association’s 2026/27 conference in Ada on September 14.

Dr Ayine observed that lawyers working in established firms often benefited from institutional resources unavailable to those practising alone or beginning their careers.

He warned that financial pressure could drive some young lawyers to compromise professional standards in pursuit of quick income, with consequences for their chambers, clients and the wider profession.

“This is not something that we should be proud of,” he said, adding that the profession must take practical steps to improve the prospects of younger practitioners.

The Attorney-General also questioned what support existed for sole practitioners who became seriously ill, could no longer work or reached old age after dedicating several decades to legal practice.

He argued that despite the Ghana Bar Association’s long history, it still lacked a welfare structure suited to the needs of its members.

Dr Ayine consequently proposed the establishment of a Bar Welfare Fund, which would receive government support and provide social protection for legal practitioners.

He said a stronger welfare system would help lawyers develop sustainable careers without compromising the ethical and professional standards required of them.

The conference was held under the theme, “150 Years of Ghana’s Legal Evolution: Transforming the Profession and Driving its Future with Industry.”