Legal Aid Commission targets 20,000 people with mobile legal clinics

The Legal Aid Commission of Ghana has officially launched its 2026 Legal Aid Week, themed "Justice at Your Doorstep," with a target of reaching 20,000 individuals nationwide. Running from October 12 to 16, the initiative aims to provide free legal consultations and human rights education to vulnerable citizens. By moving its services from traditional offices to high-traffic public spaces, the Commission intends to break down the economic and geographical barriers that often prevent marginalized groups from seeking legal assistance.

The centerpiece of this year's program is the deployment of mobile legal clinics at major markets and transportation hubs. Key locations identified for these clinics include Kasoa Market, Tema Station, and Kaneshie Market in the Greater Accra Region, as well as the Techiman main lorry terminal in the Bono East Region. These mobile units allow traders, commercial drivers, and other community members to engage in direct consultations with lawyers, receive education on their fundamental rights, and access Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services.

During the launch, the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Commission, Mr. Edmund Amarkwei Foley, addressed the critical operational challenges facing the institution. He revealed a significant shortage of legal personnel, noting that only 45 out of the Commission's 185 total staff members are qualified legal practitioners. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas, where the need for legal aid is often greatest but the presence of lawyers is minimal. Mr. Foley used the occasion to appeal for government approval to recruit additional legal staff to bolster the Commission’s capacity.

The "Justice at Your Doorstep" initiative has been met with positive feedback from initial beneficiaries, many of whom noted that the presence of lawyers in familiar surroundings like markets makes legal services feel more accessible and less intimidating. The Commission emphasizes that access to justice is a fundamental right that should not be restricted by a person's financial standing. The successful rollout of the 2026 Legal Aid Week serves as a framework for the Commission’s broader goal of decentralizing legal support across all regions of Ghana.