In a proactive move to enhance access to justice, the African Office of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has conducted a comprehensive training program, equipping over 30 individuals from diverse backgrounds with paralegal skills.

The initiative aims to empower these newly trained paralegals to provide assistance to individuals facing legal challenges, offering them a clearer understanding of legal procedures and terminologies.

Participants from various institutions across different sectors underwent rigorous training sessions designed to enhance their knowledge of legal frameworks and dispute-resolution mechanisms.

Speaking on the importance of the training, the Programs Manager of CHRI, Esther Ahorlu, emphasised the crucial role paralegals play in bridging the gap between communities and the formal justice system.

“Under our access to justice program, we do provide legal assistance to people who are in conflict with the law or victimized and they need any form of assistance; whether advice or representation.”

“This training is supposed to strengthen the collaboration between stakeholders like Legal Aid and CHRAJ and equip ourselves with the skills needed to assist the vulnerable,” she added.

Upon completing the training, the newly minted paralegals expressed enthusiasm about applying their newfound skills to assist vulnerable populations in their respective communities. They emphasised the importance of promoting access to justice for all, regardless of socio-economic status or background.

Comfort Agyemang Duah stated, “It has been an enlightening experience since some of us are now hearing about paralegals initiative.”

“We gathered the importance of paralegals in Ghana as it is not a common thing in Ghana. I hope that after this we’d all be equipped with the necessary skills to serve as paralegals,” she said.

John Armah was happy he had been given much education on paralegals in Ghana.

“I’m really happy I attended because I’ve learned a lot in relation to how to interact with people that come to me on a daily basis. I think it’s an opportunity for me to be able to understand the laws that we with better which I think I now have a lot of knowledge on how to apply them.”

The training covered a wide range of topics, including legal research, international human rights, rights of arrested persons and providing basic legal advice.

It is expected that there will be an increased capacity and skills to provide effective legal assistance services including legal empowerment to vulnerable individuals and communities.