Legal Aid Commission faces staff deficit, operates in only 45 districts-Board Chair

The Legal Aid Commission has raised concerns over its limited presence across Ghana, revealing that shortages of personnel, funding and infrastructure continue to undermine its ability to provide legal assistance to people who cannot afford the services of a lawyer.

Despite its nationwide mandate, the Commission currently operates in just 45 of the country's 261 districts, with offices established in only 10 out of the 16 regions.

The situation, according to the Commission's Board Chairman and Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Samuel Kwame Asiedu Adibu, has left a substantial number of vulnerable Ghanaians without convenient access to legal aid services.

Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Legal Aid Week in Accra, Justice Adibu disclosed that the Commission has a workforce of 190 personnel but requires approximately 180 additional staff to strengthen its operations and expand its reach.

The figures mean that 216 districts across the country currently have no dedicated Legal Aid Commission office, raising concerns about the ability of economically disadvantaged persons to access legal representation and advice.

Justice Adibu noted that the challenge goes beyond the availability of courts and police stations, explaining that the absence of legal professionals to assist vulnerable individuals could significantly affect their ability to navigate the justice system.

“While there may be courts and police stations in many parts of the country, access to a lawyer or paralegal may be non-existent to facilitate meaningful engagement with the justice system by an indigent or vulnerable person,” he stated.

Statutory mandate remains unfulfilled

The Commission's current operational coverage falls short of the requirements under Sections 24 and 25 of the Legal Aid Commission Act, 2018 (Act 977), which provide for the establishment of offices at the regional and district levels.

Although the legislation envisages a decentralised legal aid system, inadequate resources have made it difficult for the Commission to establish the necessary institutional presence nationwide.

The Commission is responsible for facilitating access to legal advice, representation and other forms of assistance for persons who cannot afford legal services. Its work also extends to public education on legal rights and the promotion of access to justice.

However, Justice Adibu indicated that the shortage of personnel and the limited geographical coverage continue to restrict the Commission's capacity to discharge these responsibilities effectively.

Commission seeks additional support

Against this background, the Commission is appealing for increased financial, infrastructural and human resource support to enable it to extend its services to underserved communities.

The 2026 Legal Aid Week forms part of efforts to increase public awareness of the Commission's services while drawing attention to the institutional challenges affecting the delivery of legal assistance.

Among the initiatives previously announced to improve service delivery is a proposed 24-hour call centre intended to make legal assistance, including Alternative Dispute Resolution services, more accessible to the public.

Justice Adibu, who assumed office as Board Chairman in January 2026, is also expected to oversee efforts towards the development of a comprehensive legal aid policy and programme for nationwide implementation.

The Commission's latest appeal brings renewed attention to the importance of ensuring that access to legal representation is not determined solely by a person's financial circumstances or geographical location.