Who We Are
The Legal Aid Commission formerly known as the Legal Aid Scheme was established in the country in 1987 under PNDCL 184. Upon the coming into force of the 1992 Constitution, Parliament in the exercise of powers conferred on it by the Constitution repealed the PNDCL 184 and re-established the Legal Aid Scheme under the Legal Aid Scheme Act, 1997 (Act 542)
The Scheme was transformed into a Commission by Parliament upon the passage of the Legal Aid Commission Act, 2018 (Act 977).
The Commission is obligated by both the 1992 Constitution and the Legal Aid Commission Act, 2018 (Act 977) to offer legal aid through the provision of legal services to the poor and vulnerable through legal education, advice, assistance, mediation and representation. The provision of these services are FREE
The Mandate of the Legal Aid Commission (LAC) as provided for in the LAC Act 2018 (Act 977) are follows:
- To provide legal aid to an indigent;
- To provide legal aid to a person who has reasonable grounds to take, defend, prosecute, or be a party to proceedings related to the Constitution in accordance with clause 1 of article 294 of the Constitution.
Goal
To provide quality legal services to enhance adherence to the Constitution and attainment of legal rights for the indigent in the Ghanaian society.
Our Vision
To be the leading agency delivering professional and quality legal services to the poor while partnering harmoniously with stakeholders in the justice system to achieve a just and equitable Ghanaian society.
Our Mission
To ensure equality of access to justice and treatment before the law by serving as the Public Defender for the poor in need of cost-effective justice.
- Establishing sufficient presence in the districts to ensure legal aid is accessible to the indigent in need of legal services.
- Ensuring the availability of qualified, diligent, and committed legal, paralegal, and alternative dispute resolution personnel to provide legal services to protect the interest and rights of the indigent.
- Developing an informed public with an increased understanding of the law and legal services provided by the Commission.
- Cooperating with local and international legal aid practitioners to learn and share similar experiences
Our Core Values
HONESTY: – Speaking the truth; not doing things that are morally wrong
FAIRNESS: – Impartial and just treatment without discrimination
LOYALTY: – Faithful and devoted service to the Commission
HARDWORK: – Being diligent to the work of the Commission
PUNCTUALITY: – Being on time; being able to complete a required task at a previous designated time
TOLERANCE: – Being patient, understanding and accepting different views
EMPATHY: – Understand and sharing feelings of another; Feeling what another person is experiencing
RESPECT:- Having regard for the feeling, wishes or rights of others
ASSERTIVENESS: – Being able to stand up for your own or other people’s rights in a calm and positive way
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION: Relaying information in a way to be received by others and well understood
ACTIVE LISTENING: -Fully concentrating, understanding, responding and remembering what is communicated
To provide quality legal services to enhance adherence to the Constitution and attainment of legal rights for the indigent in the Ghanaian society.
To ensure equality of access to justice and treatment before the law by serving as the Public Defender for the poor in need of cost-effective justice.
- Establishing sufficient presence in the districts to ensure legal aid is accessible to the indigent in need of legal services.
- Ensuring the availability of qualified, diligent, and committed legal, paralegal, and alternative dispute resolution personnel to provide legal services to protect the interest and rights of the indigent.
- Developing an informed public with an increased understanding of the law and legal services provided by the Commission.
- Cooperating with local and international legal aid practitioners to learn and share similar experiences
To be the leading agency delivering professional and quality legal services to the poor while partnering harmoniously with stakeholders in the justice system to achieve a just and equitable Ghanaian society