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A country producing more lawyers than engineers is doomed - Sir Sam Jonah

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 2:37 GMT by Ghanaweb.com
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Ghana’s Dilemma: Too Many Lawyers, Too Few Engineers – A Call to Rebalance the Nation’s Workforce

Sir Sam Jonah, the well‑known Ghanaian entrepreneur, recently cautioned that Ghana’s future prosperity is at risk because the country is producing more legal professionals than engineers. In a speech that captured the attention of policymakers, investors, and the media, Jonah highlighted stark disparities in the country’s vocational output and urged a swift, comprehensive overhaul of the education system and professional licensing regime.

The Core Problem: An Imbalanced Production of Legal and Technical Talent

Jonah’s analysis is rooted in hard data. Ghana’s legal education sector is expansive, with several universities offering law degrees and a robust postgraduate system. The country routinely graduates thousands of law students each year, and the bar admission process has expanded to accommodate the high numbers of aspirants. By contrast, engineering schools are limited in number and capacity. The Ghana Institute of Engineers (GIE) reports that, on average, fewer than a thousand engineering graduates enter the workforce annually—an output that is insufficient to support the country’s growing infrastructure demands.

This imbalance has tangible consequences. A surplus of lawyers has saturated the market, leading to underemployment, lower wages for many legal practitioners, and a decline in the perceived value of legal services. Meanwhile, engineers—key drivers of infrastructure development, industrialization, and technological innovation—are scarce, resulting in delayed construction of roads, bridges, and energy projects, and a slowdown in the development of the renewable energy sector.

Jonah’s speech also addressed the cost implications for businesses. “When the legal profession is bloated, litigation costs increase and businesses face higher compliance costs,” he said. This can stifle entrepreneurship and deter foreign investment, especially in sectors that rely heavily on legal contracts and regulatory compliance.

Recommendations for Rebalancing the Workforce

1. Revamp STEM Education
   Jonah called for a nationwide push to strengthen STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education from the primary level. He suggested integrating practical laboratory work and real‑world problem‑solving into curricula, as well as fostering partnerships between schools and engineering firms. By making engineering more appealing to students, the country can encourage a shift in career preferences.

2. Increase Engineering Capacity
   He urged the government to expand existing engineering programs and to establish new engineering faculties in underserved regions. “We need to build more engineering schools to meet the demand,” Jonah emphasized. This includes increasing faculty recruitment, investing in modern laboratories, and ensuring that curricula align with industry needs.

3. Scholarships and Incentives
   Scholarships for engineering students, particularly those from low‑income families, could reduce the financial barrier to pursuing technical careers. Jonah also recommended tax incentives for engineering firms that provide training and internships to university students.

4. Professional Licensing Reform
   The legal profession, he argued, needs stricter licensing criteria to prevent oversaturation. This could involve mandatory continuous professional development, performance benchmarks, and a review of the bar admission process. The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Board (LPDB) should enforce higher standards to maintain the profession’s integrity.

5. Industry‑Academic Collaboration
   Building stronger linkages between industry and academia can ensure that engineering curricula produce graduates with the right skill set. Jonah cited successful partnerships in the United States and China as models for Ghana to emulate.

Broader Context: Ghana’s Economic Outlook

The issues raised by Jonah reflect broader economic challenges. Ghana’s industrial policy documents highlight a need for a “knowledge‑based economy” where technical expertise underpins sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing. Yet, without sufficient engineers, the country struggles to implement the “Growth Acceleration Plan,” a policy aimed at boosting infrastructure and industrial output.

Ghana’s legal sector, on the other hand, is recognized as a pillar of the nation’s democratic institutions. The country has a well‑structured legal framework that upholds the rule of law. However, as Jonah pointed out, the sheer volume of legal practitioners can undermine the profession’s value and add to the cost of doing business.

Additional Insights from Related Links

Jonah’s address was embedded in a broader conversation that includes several other sources linked within the original article. One notable link is to the Ghana Institute of Engineers’ annual report, which provides a detailed breakdown of engineering graduate numbers, employment statistics, and recommendations for capacity building. The report underlines the shortage of civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers, and it stresses the need for increased funding for research and development.

Another linked resource is an article profiling Sir Sam Jonah’s business ventures. Jonah’s companies, such as the Sam & Son Group and the Sam Group, have diversified interests spanning real estate, mining, and renewable energy. His success in the energy sector underscores the demand for skilled engineers, especially in developing Ghana’s solar and hydroelectric projects. The article highlights how Jonah’s investment in engineering talent has been a cornerstone of his business strategy, reinforcing his argument about the importance of technical expertise.

A third link directs readers to a GhanaWeb feature on the legal profession’s licensing process. This piece explains how the Ghana Bar Association regulates the profession, the role of the LPDB in discipline, and the requirements for admission to practice law. The feature also highlights recent reforms aimed at tightening licensing standards, mirroring the changes Jonah advocates.

Conclusion

Sir Sam Jonah’s warning about a Ghanaian workforce dominated by lawyers at the expense of engineers is a clarion call for systemic change. Balancing the numbers of legal and technical professionals is not merely a matter of employment statistics; it is about equipping the nation with the skills necessary to build infrastructure, attract investment, and sustain long‑term economic growth. By implementing reforms in STEM education, expanding engineering capacity, and tightening professional licensing, Ghana can create a more balanced, productive workforce—one that supports its ambitions as a modern, industrialized economy.