Attorney General proposes deployment of lawyers at police stations to protect suspects’ rights

Attorney General Dr Dominic Ayine has advocated for the deployment of lawyers at police stations and courts to safeguard suspects' rights during critical stages of criminal proceedings. Suspects are particularly vulnerable during police investigations and their initial court appearances, making early access to legal representation crucial to protect their rights and prevent unlawful or extended detention.

Dr Ayine emphasized that the most decisive moments in a criminal case often occur at the police station, advocating for the introduction of a duty-lawyer scheme to implement Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution. Speaking at the launch of the Legal Aid Commission’s 2026 Legal Aid Week in Accra on October 13, he urged the Commission to conduct regular case reviews to identify those at risk of prolonged detention without legal representation.

He stressed that access to justice should not be based on financial circumstances or location, proposing the expansion of the Commission's services to underserved communities through district offices and mobile legal clinics. Dr Ayine also intends to collaborate with the Ghana Bar Association to encourage more pro bono cases for financially constrained individuals and to establish supervised legal clinics in law faculties, the Ghana School of Law, and among paralegals and community legal volunteers.

To enhance access to legal assistance, he proposed the creation of a toll-free legal aid line, SMS, and WhatsApp systems for initial legal advice, and the provision of information in local languages. Additionally, he recommended a shared case-management system to ensure coordination among the Legal Aid Commission, courts, and the Attorney General's office.

Dr Ayine also supported alternative dispute resolution services to resolve family, land, tenancy, and debt disputes more affordably, particularly in rural areas, through collaboration with traditional authorities and community mediators. He stressed that effective legal aid delivery requires predictable funding through the national budget and support from development partners, and that the Office of the Attorney General will back legal and policy reforms aimed at improving access to justice.