The Bar, Fashion, Publicity and Professional Dignity

_{Published: 12th October, 2026}

First, let me congratulate all newly called lawyers on their admission to the Ghana Bar. It is a remarkable achievement deserving of celebration.

However, having observed the numerous photographs and videos splashed across the internet following the recent call to the Bar, I wish to express a few concerns.

In my opinion, some of the publicity has become unnecessarily elaborate and excessive.

In our days, we maintained private photo albums. Important occasions were photographed, and the memories carefully preserved. Some of those photographs were only seen when people visited our homes.

Not every photograph was meant for public consumption, and not every private celebration required a public audience.

Today, almost everything is recorded and uploaded onto social media. Some of the activities and occasions I have seen are best kept private.

But my greater concern is professional dressing.

I have seen newly called lawyers wearing wigs without gowns. I even saw a lawyer driving after the call ceremony, still wearing his wig!

I have seen female lawyers wearing entirely white dresses, male lawyers wearing entirely ash-coloured suits, others wearing black suits with conspicuously shiny buttons, and some wearing extraordinarily wide, flowing trousers.

These observations raise an important question:

Do we appreciate that professional dressing is not merely about wearing black and white?

The cut, style, fit, design and overall appearance of our clothing matter. Our professional attire is not simply a fashion statement. It represents the dignity, discipline and traditions of the Bar.

The wig and gown are not fashion accessories, and the courtroom is certainly not a fashion runway.

Another development worries me.

In our days, we hardly introduced ourselves publicly as lawyers. We did not feel compelled to announce our professional status at every opportunity.

Today, some newly called lawyers boldly announce themselves as lawyers and even insist on being addressed as Esquire.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of one’s professional achievement. But there is a difference between being entitled to a professional designation and demanding public recognition of it.

The title does not make the lawyer. The lawyer must give meaning to the title through learning, competence and professional conduct.

I appreciate that times are changing. Social media has transformed society, fashion has evolved, and younger generations express themselves differently.

I am not opposed to change.

But must we sacrifice professional restraint, modesty and dignity in the name of modernity?

We are becoming too familiar, too casual and, perhaps, too eager to advertise our professional identities.

And I find that worrying.

Perhaps I am worried for nothing. Perhaps this is simply a generational difference, and I am struggling to come to terms with changing times. But I cannot help it.
I have known the Bar as a profession of dignity, restraint, modesty and solemn responsibility. I would hate to see those values gradually eroded in the pursuit of fashion, publicity and social recognition.
To our newly called colleagues, celebrate your achievement, take photographs, enjoy your moment and be proud of your success.
But remember that not everything deserves publicity, not every fashionable outfit constitutes appropriate professional attire, and not every occasion requires you to announce that you are a lawyer.
Let your knowledge speak. Let your character speak. Let your professional conduct speak.
You do not have to announce that you are a lawyer for people to recognise the lawyer in you.
The Bar is not merely a title to display. It is a responsibility to discharge.

Once again, congratulations!
BEING CALLED TO THE BAR IS ONE THING; LIVING UP TO THE DIGNITY OF THE BAR IS QUITE ANOTHER.