An international human rights activist and founder of Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF), Raphael Godlove Ahenu, has lambasted lawyers and legal practitioners in Ghana for charging exorbitant legal fees. This situation, he says, has made access to justice almost impossible for the poor and marginalized groups in society.
In a statement issued in Sunyani, Mr. Ahenu expressed grave concern that the high cost of legal services continues to push thousands of ordinary Ghanaians away from seeking justice, particularly women, youth and rural dwellers, who often cannot afford to hire legal representation.
“Justice must never be a privilege for the rich - it is a right for every citizen.”
According to him, a recent survey conducted by the Global Media Foundation revealed that thousands of people in Ghana avoid legal battles because of the high fees charged by lawyers and the long delays in administering justice by the country's judicial system.
The report also noted that despite the increasing number of people entering the legal profession compared to previous years, legal costs have remained unreasonably high.
“Even though more people are entering the law profession, legal services remain expensive and out of reach for the ordinary Ghanaian. Many people would rather suffer in silence than pursue justice they cannot afford,” Mr. Ahenu lamented.
The activist stressed that access to justice is a fundamental human right enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and recognized under various international human rights conventions. He called on the Ghana Bar Association, Judicial Service and the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department to take concrete steps to make legal services more affordable and efficient.
He also urged the government to strengthen the Legal Aid Commission by expanding its operations and resources to ensure that the poor and vulnerable can access quality legal representation.
“True democracy can only thrive when justice is accessible to all citizens. Until we remove the financial and procedural barriers that prevent ordinary Ghanaians from seeking justice, equality before the law will remain a distant dream.”
0 Comments