Introduction
Preparing for a postgraduate Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme in Ghana may begin before application for the LLB program commences. Students who prepare in advance can develop a better understanding of the Ghanaian legal system, become familiar with important legislation and improve their ability to analyse legal problems. This is because post graduate LLB application can be shortlisted by entrance exams and interviews. This means that the potential law students may be questioned on their general knowledge of legal matters and social matters.
Preparation should not be limited to reading law textbooks. Prospective students should also familiarise themselves with Ghana’s Constitution, the structure of government, the courts, fundamental human rights, important public institutions and current national issues. Depending on the university’s admission process, general knowledge and awareness of public affairs may also be useful.
The good news is that you do not need to spend several hours every day preparing for law school. With a structured programme, one hour of focused study a day for 120 daysbefore applications open can help you build a useful foundation before your postgraduate LLB.
To support this preparation, the Legists Research Channel will upload relevant study materials, and students will have access to a Google Drive containing resources for their studies. Students will also have the opportunity to join mentorship classes, participate in discussions and learn alongside others preparing for their postgraduate LLB programmes.
This guide provides a practical framework for the preparation period, including the legislation to read, the legal skills to develop and the general knowledge areas to explore before lectures begin.
1. Understand What to Expect from the Postgraduate LLB Programme
A postgraduate LLB is designed for graduates who already hold a first degree in another discipline and wish to obtain a law degree. The programme introduces students to foundational legal principles, legal institutions, statutory interpretation, judicial decisions and methods of legal analysis.
Depending on the university, fundamental LLB courses may include:
• Ghana Legal System
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law
• Law of Contract
• Law of Torts
• Land Law
• Equity and Succession
• Legal Research and Writing
• Company Law
• Commercial Law
• Law of Taxation
• Intellectual Property Law
The precise courses, order of instruction and assessment methods vary between universities. Prospective students should obtain the current programme structure and admission requirements from their intended institution.
2. The Essential Legal Materials to Study Before Lectures Begin
One of the most effective ways to prepare is to become familiar with the principal legislation governing Ghana’s legal system.
1. The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992
Study constitutional supremacy, the separation of powers, the functions of the Executive and Parliament, the Judiciary, fundamental human rights, constitutional interpretation and the jurisdiction of the courts.
Pay particular attention to the constitutional provisions governing the President, Vice-President, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, the judiciary and independent constitutional bodies.
2. Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29)
Study criminal responsibility, the elements of offences, participation in crime, defences and offences against persons and property.
3. Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459)
Familiarise yourself with the structure and jurisdiction of Ghana’s courts, the exercise of judicial power and the administration of justice.
4. Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036)
Study interests in land, customary landholding, leases, conveyancing, land registration, mortgages and land transactions.
5. Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992)
Read about company incorporation, shares, directors, shareholders, company meetings, corporate governance and directors’ duties.
6. Sale of Goods Act, 1962 (Act 137)
Focus on contracts for the sale of goods, conditions and warranties, transfer of ownership, delivery, payment and remedies.
7. Contract Act, 1960 (Act 25)
Provides Ghanaian perspective on the rules of consideration, privity of contracts, frustration of contracts and remedies,
8. Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30)
Become familiar with criminal proceedings, arrest, bail, charges, trial procedure, sentencing and appeals.
3. Study Matters of Public Interest and General Knowledge About Ghana
Legal education does not take place in isolation from society. Lawyers are expected to understand the institutions, public issues and social circumstances within which the law operates.
Prospective postgraduate LLB students should therefore develop a habit of following credible news sources and learning about important national issues.
Areas of general knowledge to cover
Government and public institutions: Understand the three arms of government, the functions of Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary, and the roles of key public institutions.
Political and constitutional offices: Learn the constitutional responsibilities of the President, Vice-President, Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, Attorney-General and other major public officeholders. Verify current officeholders from reliable, up-to-date sources.
Parliament and constituencies: Understand how Members of Parliament are elected, their legislative responsibilities, the distinction between Parliament and the Executive, and how constituencies are represented.
Fundamental human rights: Familiarise yourself with freedom of expression, personal liberty, equality before the law, freedom of association, fair trial rights, freedom of religion and the constitutional protection of property.
The legal system: Understand the hierarchy of courts, the sources of Ghanaian law, the relationship between customary law and statutory law, and the role of judicial precedent.
Current national issues: Follow major developments in education, healthcare, employment, public finance, land administration, environmental protection, corruption, criminal justice and access to justice.
Ghana’s constitutional and political history: Learn the broad historical development of Ghana’s constitutional system, the transition to constitutional government and the establishment of the Fourth Republic.
International affairs: Develop a basic understanding of Ghana’s membership of the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS and other relevant international organisations.
How to prepare
Read reliable news reports regularly and investigate the legal or constitutional questions raised by major public events.
If Parliament considers a bill, for example, learn what the bill proposes, which institution has authority to enact legislation and how the proposed law would fit within Ghana’s constitutional framework.
If a public controversy concerns an alleged violation of human rights, identify the right involved, the relevant constitutional provision, any permissible limitations and the institution or court that may have jurisdiction.
This approach connects general knowledge with legal reasoning and helps students understand the practical relevance of the law.
General knowledge questions are not necessarily part of every postgraduate LLB admission process. Students should check their chosen university’s current requirements rather than assume that all institutions use the same assessment format.
4. Learn How to Read a Court Judgment
Reading judicial decisions is an essential skill for every law student. A judgment should be analysed to identify the legal issues, the reasoning of the court and the principles that can be applied to other disputes.
Use the following structure when briefing a case:
1. Case title and citation: Identify the parties and the report citation.
2. Facts: Summarise the material facts.
3. Procedural history: Explain what happened in the lower courts, where applicable.
4. Issues: Identify the legal questions the court had to resolve.
5. Holding: State the court’s decision on each issue.
6. Ratio decidendi: Explain the legal principle necessary to the decision.
7. Applicable law and authorities: Identify the relevant statutes and precedents.
8. Dissenting opinion: Where applicable, explain the reasoning of a dissenting judge.
Do not merely memorise the outcome of a case. Ask why the court reached that conclusion and how the legal principle might apply to different facts.
5. Develop a Daily One-Hour Study Routine
You do not need to study for three or eight hours every day before lectures begin. The objective of this programme is to develop consistency and a working familiarity with legal materials without making preparation unnecessarily demanding.
Set aside one hour every day and use it purposefully.
A practical daily routine is as follows:
• 25 minutes: Read a legal topic, statutory provision or section of the Constitution.
• 15 minutes: Review a relevant case or judicial decision.
• 10 minutes: Write concise notes explaining the legal principles you have studied.
• 10 minutes: Test your understanding, revise previous material or review a matter of public interest.
You can adjust the allocation depending on the topic. On some days, you may devote the entire hour to reading legislation; on others, you may concentrate on case analysis or general knowledge.
The important thing is to study actively rather than simply read without retaining what you learn.
Over 120 days, one hour a day provides 120 hours of structured preparation before your postgraduate LLB programme begins.
6. Your 120-Day Preparation Schedule
The programme is divided into four months, with approximately 30 days allocated to each stage. The sequence begins with the foundations of Ghanaian law, progresses through constitutional and substantive law, and concludes with commercial law, civil procedure and revision.
Month 1: Days 1–30 Foundations of Law and the Constitution
Month 2: Days 31–60 Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Month 3: Days 61–90 Contract Law, Sale of Goods and Land Law
Month 4: Days 91–120 Company Law, Civil Procedure and Consolidation
Make sure to keep reviewing your statutory notes, revisit the Constitution and fundamental human rights, practise case briefing and assess your knowledge of Ghana’s legal system and current public affairs.
This timetable is a guide rather than an official university syllabus. Students should adapt it to their institution’s course structure and admission requirements.
7. Study Materials, the Legists Research Channel and Google Drive
Students preparing for the postgraduate LLB do not have to undertake the entire process without guidance.
The Legists Research Channel will upload relevant materials to support students throughout the 120-day preparation period. These resources will help students identify the topics to study and organise their preparation around the principal areas of Ghanaian law.
A Google Drive will also be available as a central resource for study materials. Students should use the designated Drive to access the relevant resources made available for the preparation programme.
The preliminary reading list includes:
• The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992.
• Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
• Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459), as amended.
• Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036).
• Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992).
• Sale of Goods Act, 1962 (Act 137).
• Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
• High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2004 (C.I. 47), as amended.
• Introductory materials on contract law and tort law.
• Relevant Ghanaian judicial decisions and case studies.
• Materials on the Constitution, public institutions, fundamental human rights and general knowledge about Ghana.
Students should also consult current official legislation and verify the status of any amendments before relying on particular provisions.
8. Join the Mentorship Classes
Reading independently is useful, but guided learning can make preparation more organised and engaging.
Students preparing for their postgraduate LLB are encouraged to join the available mentorship classes and participate actively. These classes provide an opportunity to discuss legal topics, ask questions, clarify difficult concepts and learn alongside other prospective law students.
Participation can also help students develop a more disciplined study routine and identify areas where they need further reading.
Students should take advantage of opportunities to discuss constitutional issues, statutory provisions, judicial decisions and matters of public interest. Asking questions and explaining legal principles to others can strengthen understanding considerably.
The mentorship classes are intended to complement independent reading and the resources provided through the Legists Research Channel and Google Drive.
9. Mistakes to Avoid Before Starting Law School
Memorising without understanding: Focus on the reasoning behind legal rules rather than merely reproducing definitions.
Ignoring the Constitution: The Constitution is fundamental to understanding the legal system and the powers of public institutions.
Reading cases without making notes: Brief judgments in your own words and identify the legal principles established.
Ignoring current affairs: Develop an informed understanding of major public issues and their legal implications.
Copying notes without testing yourself: Close your books and explain a legal principle from memory.
Trying to study every subject at once: Follow the 120-day timetable and build your understanding progressively.
Assuming every university follows the same admission process: Confirm the requirements and syllabus of your chosen institution.
Studying without seeking guidance: Use the available study materials and participate in mentorship classes when possible.
10. Conclusion
Preparing in advance for a postgraduate LLB in Ghana does not have to be overwhelming. By dedicating one hour a day for 120 days, students can develop a useful foundation in Ghanaian law, become familiar with important legislation and strengthen their understanding of legal institutions and current public affairs.
The preparation programme combines statutory reading, case analysis, legal writing, general knowledge and guided learning. With the support of materials uploaded through the Legists Research Channel, resources available through Google Drive and participation in mentorship classes, students can approach the beginning of their legal education with greater confidence and direction.
The objective is not to master the entire legal system before admission. It is to build the habits, knowledge and analytical skills that will help you make the most of your postgraduate LLB programme.
