Ghana Bar Association (GBA) President Efua Ghartey has cautioned newly enrolled lawyers against hiring videographers or recording their first entries into courtrooms, warning that the practice violates professional decorum and could attract disciplinary action.
In a video address published by Graphic Online on Thursday, November 5, Ghartey said the Bar leadership had taken note of videos showing newly qualified lawyers filming their maiden appearances at court.
“We’ve seen some people take videos of their fresh legal steps into court. Please, it is not allowed,” she said.
“So please don’t find a videographer to follow you as you enter the courtroom. It is not allowed.”
While acknowledging the excitement surrounding the latest group of lawyers, the GBA President said some had gone beyond acceptable professional conduct by arranging camera crews to record their court appearances.
“As seniors, we are enjoying what is going on, but some people have crossed the line, and we don’t want to start calling for disciplinary matters,” she added.
Viral videos follow October Call to the Bar ceremony
Ghartey’s warning follows a wave of social media videos shared by newly qualified lawyers after the 63rd Call to the Bar ceremony held on Friday, October 9, 2026.
At the ceremony, which took place at ICGC Christ Temple in Accra, Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie enrolled 1,568 newly qualified lawyers onto the Roll of Lawyers.
Since the ceremony, several newly enrolled lawyers have shared professionally edited videos of themselves entering court buildings in their wigs and gowns as they begin their mandatory pupillage at law chambers across the country.
Courtroom recording and professional ethics
Although Ghartey did not refer to a specific statutory provision in her remarks, she emphasised the need to respect restrictions on unauthorised filming within court premises and uphold the dignity of judicial proceedings.
In Ghana, the use of cameras and recording devices in courtrooms and their immediate precincts is restricted without the express permission of the court.
The professional conduct of lawyers is regulated by the General Legal Council (GLC) under the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32), and the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct and Etiquette) Rules, 2020 (L.I. 2423).
Rule 15 of L.I. 2423 addresses solicitation and prohibits conduct such as touting and improper self-promotion intended to attract legal business. Lawyers are also expected to conduct themselves in ways that preserve the dignity and reputation of the legal profession.
Breaches of professional conduct rules may result in disciplinary proceedings before the GLC’s Disciplinary Committee.
By:Rachael Djabakie