Fifteen people made up the first General Legal Council of Ghana, which was presided over by Sir Arku Korsah, who was also the Chief Justice at the time.

The council was established after March 6, 1957, when Ghana gained independence.

On September 1, 1958, Mr. K.S. Yaasi, the Supreme Court's Acting Chief Registrar, named the first group of members for the legal council.

The General Legal Council, which was established as the primary legal regulating organization, was given the responsibility of conducting and governing legal education and practice in Ghana.

By design, the council has the authority and capacity to decide on the direction and policy for legal education and training, as well as the rules governing professional legal practice and related issues.

This was later published in the Daily Graphic on September 2, 1958.

According to the article, the 15 members were;

Chief Justice, Sir Arku Korsah, Chairman, Mr. A. E. A. Ofori-Atta, Minister of Local Government, deputy chairman, Mr. Justice Van Lare, Justice of Appeal, Mr. Justice Granville Sharp, Justice of Appeal, Mr. Geoffrey Bing, Q.C., Attorney General, Professor J. H. A. Lang, head of the faculty of law, University College of Ghana, Mr. Justice C.S. Acolatse, Puisne Judge, Sir Leslie M’Carthy, retired Puisne Judge, Sir Emmanuel Quist, retired Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Kojo Botsio, Minister of Trade and Industries, Mr. Kweku Boateng, barrister-at-law, Mr. A. M. Akiwumi, Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. R. S. Blay, barrister-at-law, Mr. Cobina Kessie, M.P. barrister-at-law and Mr. Akufo-Addo, barrister-at-law.

The General Legal Council was set up by an Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Legal Profession in Ghana. The Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32). The Legal Profession Act among other things is expected to organize legal education and uphold standards of professional conduct and discipline.