Vice President Opoku-Agyemang reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to justice for women, girls at Legal Aid Week launch

The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has reaffirmed the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring equal access to justice for women and girls across the country.

Speaking on Monday, October 27, 2025, at the official launch of the 2025 Legal Aid Week Celebration at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City–Accra, she emphasized that making justice accessible to every citizen—regardless of gender or status—is both a constitutional duty and a moral obligation.

Delivering the keynote address through Mrs. Marietta Brew Appiah-Oppong, Legal Counsel to the President, the Vice President commended the Legal Aid Commission of Ghana for its tireless efforts in bridging the gap between the law and marginalized communities.

“Our commitment to access to justice is not only a constitutional imperative but also a global responsibility,” she said.

“By ensuring that justice is accessible to the poor and marginalized, the Commission contributes directly to peace, stability, and good governance—the pillars upon which national development depends.”

Professor Opoku-Agyemang lauded Ghana’s pioneering role in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through legal and policy reforms, citing the country’s ratification of the Maputo Protocol and the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

She noted that these international commitments have informed key national reforms, including the Affirmative Action Gender Equality Act, 2024 (Act 1121), which further strengthens Ghana’s legislative framework for promoting women’s rights.

Despite these gains, she acknowledged persistent barriers that hinder women’s access to justice, including financial constraints, social norms, and limited awareness of legal rights.

“While the Legal Aid Commission has made remarkable progress, it continues to face serious resource constraints,” she noted.

The Vice President therefore appealed to government agencies, the Ghana Bar Association, and development partners to support the Legal Aid Fund to ensure the Commission can expand its reach.

“I call on all partners to contribute generously to the Legal Aid Fund and to collaborate in strengthening our justice delivery system,” she urged.

This year’s Legal Aid Week, held under the theme “The Role of the Legal Aid Commission in Enhancing Access to Justice for Women and Girls in Ghana: Harnessing the Maputo Protocol,” aims to promote gender-responsive justice delivery and celebrate two decades since the adoption of the Maputo Protocol.

The week-long event, which runs from October 27 to November 2, 2025, brings together government officials, legal practitioners, international partners, and women’s rights advocates to reflect on Ghana’s progress in advancing legal empowerment for women and girls.

In his address, Mr. Edmund Amarkwei Foley, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Commission, reaffirmed the institution’s resolve to extend justice to the most vulnerable, despite limited resources.

He highlighted that under the Legal Aid Commission Act, 2018 (Act 977), the Commission operates in all 10 regions with 45 district offices and a staff strength of 193.

“Our mandate is to make justice accessible to all persons, regardless of status or income,” he stated. “Through legal advice, representation, and public education, we continue to bridge the gap between the law and the people.”

Mr. Foley revealed plans by the Commission to launch a 24-hour Legal Aid Call Center as part of the government's 24-hour economic policy, offering round-the-clock legal assistance to the public.

He also announced the establishment of Gender Desks in regional offices to focus on cases involving women, children, and persons with disabilities.

“Inspired by the words of Dr. James Aggrey that ‘if you educate a woman, you educate a nation,’ we believe that if we get justice for her, we achieve progress for all,” he said.

Representing the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), Dr. Stefano Kareklas reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s justice sector through the Promotion of Rule of Law and Judiciary in Africa Project.

“Legal aid is a cornerstone of human rights,” he emphasized. “When justice is inaccessible because of cost or complexity, inequality thrives. Our task is to make justice real, affordable, and meaningful for every woman and girl in Ghana.”

He called for increased funding, simplified legal processes, and expanded awareness campaigns—especially in local languages—to ensure that all women know where to seek help.

Adding her voice to the call for inclusive justice, Hon. Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Vice Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and Country Rapporteur for Ghana, including Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa commended Ghana for its commitment to localizing the Maputo Protocol and positioning the Legal Aid Commission as a vehicle for its implementation.

In a message delivered on her behalf, she underscored that access to justice for women is not merely a social service but a fundamental human right enshrined in the Protocol.

“By placing legal aid within the human rights paradigm, the Protocol makes it imperative for the state to ensure that legal aid is available, accessible, and effective for women,” her message read.

She further urged the Government of Ghana to continually support and increase resource allocation to the Commission, describing it as a vital institution in the pursuit of gender equality and justice on the continent.

Also addressing the gathering, Dr. Brenda Akia, Vice Chair and Rapporteur of the UN CEDAW Committee, underscored the shared vision of the CEDAW Convention and the Maputo Protocol in eliminating discrimination and improving access to justice for women.

“The cost of justice is still too high for many women,” she warned. “We must make legal aid not just available but economically feasible, especially for women in rural and disadvantaged communities.”

The 2025 Legal Aid Week marks the revival of a national platform for legal awareness, being held for the first time in nearly a decade. The celebration features legal clinics, roadshows, school outreach programs, and public education campaigns, all centered on women’s rights, gender equality, and access to justice. Supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through GIZ, the initiative aligns with Ghana’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16—to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions.

In her closing remarks, Mrs. Appiah-Oppong, on behalf of the vice president, officially declared the 2025 Legal Aid Week launched, describing it as “a springboard to make justice a lived reality for every Ghanaian woman and girl.”

The Legal Aid Commission of Ghana, established under Act 977, continues to provide free legal services, advice, and education to indigent and vulnerable persons in both civil and criminal cases. Its work reflects Ghana’s constitutional and international pledge to ensure equal access to justice for all citizens.

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