Prioritizing Science and Engineering for Ghana’s Development: A wake-up call amidst the surge in law graduates

Last Friday, the Ghana Bar Association welcomed hundreds of new lawyers into its fold, and for the second year in a row, the Call to the Bar saw an intake of graduates twice in a single year. Interestingly, professionals like engineers, medical doctors and other people with science background cannot agree to be left out.

The increase in number of law graduates in recent past raises an important question by a curious mind: What is driving this massive shift toward the study law? And more critically, can Ghana’s future be built on the backs of lawyers rather than engineers, scientists, and technologists?

In recent years, the legal profession seems to have attracted a flood of new entrants. While the legal field is noted for being one of the most prestigious fields and that is what a reasonable mind will believe to be a motivation, the interesting question remains: What "honey or milk" is drawing so many young Ghanaians away from fields like engineering, science, information technology, and mining—sectors that are arguably more critical for Ghana’s economic and industrial future?

To examine the potential consequences of this shift, it’s worth looking at examples of countries that have heavily invested in science and engineering to fuel development of all kinds. Singapore, a country that has transformed from a third-world to a first-world nation within a generation, as generally observed, did so by prioritizing engineering, technology, and scientific research.

Its leaders recognized early that a solid technological base was critical to its industrialization and its ability to attract multinational companies.

China is another remarkable example. The country’s rise to global economic dominance is deeply rooted in its focus on science and engineering. Over the past few decades, China has produced millions of engineers and scientists who have driven its innovations in infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology. Its investment in these fields has made it the world’s manufacturing powerhouse and a leader in technological advancements.

So, the question for Ghana becomes: Can we afford to follow the opposite path by producing more lawyers than engineers as the recent trend appears to portray? While a functional legal system is essential for any country, the challenge for Ghana lies in striking a balance.

What seems to be an excessive focus on legal studies, while neglecting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), could hamper the nation’s industrial and economic growth. After all, engineers build bridges, roads, and power plants—structures that are the backbone of any developing economy.

Lawyers, on the other hand, help enforce the laws that guide and regulate these developments, but without a foundation of technological and engineering expertise, there is little for legal frameworks to support.

Many young people are gravitating towards law, perhaps lured by the perceived financial rewards or prestige. Yet, it is worth questioning whether the opportunities for legal professionals in Ghana are indeed vast, or whether the market is becoming saturated. This contrasts sharply with fields like engineering and IT, which have consistently been under-resourced and underappreciated despite the critical role they play in national development.

It is time for Ghana to pivot its focus towards the areas that has been proven to sustain long-term economic growth.

The government and educational institutions must take steps to encourage more students to pursue degrees in engineering, science, and technology. One approach could be offering greater scholarships and funding for students in STEM programs, while also creating a robust pipeline from education to employment in key industries like energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

The case of Singapore and China shows that nations can rapidly develop when they prioritize science and engineering. In the case of Singapore, engineers helped design efficient infrastructure that transformed the city-state into a global hub for commerce. China’s engineers built the world’s fastest trains, tallest buildings, and vast industrial cities.

Ghana must follow suit. The world is moving towards a tech-driven economy, with fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology rapidly growing. Our young people should be part of this future, not merely filling legal chambers.

As we celebrate the success of our newly called lawyers, we must also ask ourselves how many engineers, data scientists, or innovators were trained during the same period. Are we producing enough people who will design the future Ghana, or are we focused too much on those who will govern its legal frameworks?

It is time to strike a balance and focus on fostering innovation, research, and technology-driven education. Ghana’s future will not be secured solely in the courtroom; it will be built in laboratories, factories, and research centres. The rise in law graduates should not only prompt introspection, but it should also serve as a wake-up call to reorient the country's focus toward science, technology, and engineering for sustainable development.

Let us look to the future and ensure that Ghana is positioned to compete in the global economy by cultivating a generation of engineers, scientists, and technologists. Without them, the legal frameworks we build will have little to support.