Dominic Ayine: Advocates Ghana Duty-Lawyer Scheme for Suspects' Rights

• Attorney General Dr. Dominic A. Ayine proposed a duty-lawyer scheme to protect suspects' rights at police stations and initial court appearances.
• The scheme aims to implement Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution, ensuring access to legal representation for vulnerable individuals.
• Dr. Ayine called for the Ghana Legal Aid Commission to expand services beyond regional capitals, including mobile clinics and district offices.
• He urged the Ghana Bar Association to increase pro bono cases and suggested law faculties establish supervised legal clinics.
• Proposals also included a toll-free legal aid line, local language information, a shared case-management system, and strengthened alternative dispute resolution.

Poverty should not be a barrier to exercising one's rights or receiving fair treatment, stating that "a right that cannot be reached is a right denied."

Dr. Dominic A. Ayine, Ghana's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, has advocated for the establishment of a duty-lawyer scheme to ensure legal representation for suspects at police stations and during their initial court appearances. This proposal, made during the launch of the Legal Aid Commission’s 2026 Legal Aid Week in Accra on Tuesday, October 13, aims to safeguard the rights of individuals facing criminal proceedings.

The Attorney General highlighted the particular vulnerability of suspects during police investigations and their first encounters with the judicial system, emphasizing that decisions made at these early stages can profoundly impact their liberty. The proposed Ghana duty-lawyer scheme, championed by Dominic Ayine, is designed to give practical effect to Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees fundamental human rights and freedoms, including the right to legal representation.

Beyond the immediate duty-lawyer initiative, Dr. Ayine outlined a comprehensive vision for the Ghana Legal Aid Commission expansion. He urged the Commission to regularly review cases of individuals in custody to prevent prolonged detention without legal assistance. Furthermore, he called for legal aid services to extend beyond regional capitals, proposing the establishment of district offices and mobile clinics in community centers, markets, and traditional council halls to reach a wider population.

To further broaden access to justice, the Attorney General expressed his intention to engage the Ghana Bar Association, encouraging its members to undertake more pro bono legal services. He also suggested that law faculties and the Ghana School of Law establish supervised legal clinics. Additionally, Dr. Ayine proposed training paralegals and community volunteers to offer basic legal guidance, particularly in rural communities, underscoring the principle that poverty should not be a barrier to exercising one's rights or receiving fair treatment, stating that "a right that cannot be reached is a right denied."

The Attorney General's proposals also encompassed modernizing the delivery of legal aid and strengthening alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in Ghana. He called for the introduction of a toll-free legal aid line, along with SMS and WhatsApp channels for intake, to make services more accessible. Providing legal information in local languages was also emphasized to ensure broader understanding.

Additionally, Dr. Ayine advocated for a shared case-management system to foster better collaboration and information exchange between the Legal Aid Commission, the courts, and the Attorney General’s Office. He stressed the importance of strengthening ADR for resolving disputes related to family matters, land, tenancy, and debt, thereby reducing the costs and delays associated with full trials. Finally, he urged the Commission to secure predictable funding and publish annual performance reports detailing services delivered across districts and the time taken to resolve cases, ensuring accountability and transparency.

The comprehensive reforms proposed by Dr. Dominic Ayine underscore a commitment to upholding suspects rights at police stations Ghana and ensuring that legal protection is not a privilege but a fundamental right accessible to all citizens. By focusing on critical junctures like police investigations and initial court appearances, the Ghana duty-lawyer scheme aims to mitigate the severe consequences that can arise from a lack of legal counsel.

These initiatives, ranging from constitutional implementation via Article 14(2) 1992 Constitution Ghana to technological advancements and community engagement, collectively seek to dismantle barriers to justice. The overarching goal is to create a more equitable legal system where every individual, regardless of their economic status or location, can effectively exercise their rights and receive fair treatment under the law.

Lawyers practicing criminal defense in Ghana should be aware of the proposed duty-lawyer scheme, as it could significantly alter how suspects access legal representation at police stations and during initial court appearances. This initiative also signals a broader push for expanded legal aid and pro bono opportunities, which may impact firm strategies for community engagement and compliance with professional obligations.

Source: Original reporting via myjoyonline.com