The President of the Ghana Bar Association in the Upper East Region, Anthony Namoo, has called for increased funding for Ghana’s Legal Aid system, arguing that access to justice should not depend on an individual’s financial status.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s DayBreak Upper East show, he said many poor citizens are unable to obtain legal representation despite having legitimate cases.
“I shouldn’t lose a case because I am poor. I should lose because the facts and the law are against me, not because I cannot afford a lawyer,” he stated.
He explained that although lawyers often provide pro bono services, the absence of adequate state funding limits the number of cases they can take on.
Mr Namoo recounted instances where members of the Bar intervened to secure the release of inmates who had been detained for months without appearing before a court.
He cited a case involving two individuals who had spent over nine months in custody on allegations of preparing to commit a crime without being arraigned.
“We had to take up the matter and file processes for them. If we had not gone there, they might still be in custody,” he revealed.
He urged the government to adequately fund Legal Aid and provide incentives for lawyers who take up cases for indigent persons.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Samuel Adagom | Bolgatanga
