Legal Aid for Indigents in Ghana

 
$5,273
$94,726
Raised
Remaining
50
donations
1
report

Summary

Ghana's justice system does not guarantee free legal services for the poor and less-privileged persons who are unable to hire counsel to represent them. A State-funded legal aid scheme is woefully under-funded and ill-equipped to make any impact and there is no effective private alternative. Consequently, accused persons who cannot afford the services of counsel mostly end up in jail. HelpLaw Ghana is providing free legal assistance for these unfortunate citizens who are being denied justice.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Because indigent accused persons are not represented in court they are invariably jailed, though many may be innocent. As a result, there is terrible congestion in Ghana's prisons. As of July 2009, the Nsawam Prison had exceeded its maximum capacity of 851 inmates by over 200% to 2,951 inmates. The Akuse prison with a maximum capacity of 60 inmates had over 309 inmates, and the Kumasi Prison with a maximum capacity of 416 had over 1,678 inmates. This has resulted in serious human rights issues.

How will this project solve this problem?

HelpLaw Ghana has been established to provide free legal and related services to as many poor and indigent accused persons who the charity can raise resources to support right from their arrest and through their trials. Many shall be assisted to be discharged or granted bail at their first appearance in court, or subsequently during their trial.

Potential Long Term Impact

The vision of HelpLaw Ghana is to ultimately guarantee free legal services for the poor and all indigent accused persons in Ghana. HelpLaw shall provide legal representation for at least 200 accused persons, who may end up in jail in each month just because they are too poor to hire the services of lawyers.

Project Message

With a very humble start, HelpLaw Ghana is beginning to change the disorder in the criminal justice system of Ghana. We are counting on your financial support to realize our noble vision.
- Eric Delanyo Alifo, Founder and Project Leader

Funding Information

Total Funding Received to Date: $5,273
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $94,726
Total Funding Goal: $99,999

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).

Resources

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Text GIVE 12320 to 80088 to donate $10 to Legal Aid for Indigents in Ghana. Message and data rates may apply. Only works for US mobile phones.
TXT MSG from our lawyers: Your donation will be made to the GlobalGiving Foundation-Legal Aid for Indigents in Ghana project. Charges will appear on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your prepaid balance. All purchases must be authorized by the account holder. You must reply YES to the confirmation message. You must be 18 years of age or have parental permission to participate. Text STOP to 80088 to stop all communication. Text HELP to 80088 for help. Message and data rates may apply. Full Terms: www.mGive.org/T. Privacy Policy: goto.gg/privacy.
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Organization

HelpLaw Ghana

Accra, West Africa, Ghana
http://www.help-law.org/

Project Leader

Eric Delanyo Alifo

Accra, Greater Accra Ghana

Where is this project located?

Map of Legal Aid for Indigents in Ghana