Supreme Court nominee Justice Hafisata Amaleboba has urged the Ghana Bar Association to take the lead in encouraging all lawyers to commit to pro bono work as part of their professional duty.

She emphasised that this would help alleviate the burden on ordinary Ghanaians who cannot afford legal services and improve access to justice across the country.

Her comments come amid growing concern that many ordinary Ghanaians are denied access to legal services simply because they cannot afford the cost of legal aid.

Speaking during her vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Wednesday, June 18, Justice Amaleboba described the proposal as a positive step toward addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable members of society in obtaining legal representation.

“I think it’s a good suggestion, but I will also say that if the Bar Association does not already do so, it should encourage every lawyer to do some amount of pro bono work. I believe this will go a long way in assisting with the problem,” she said.

Justice Amaleboba is the second woman among seven judges nominated by former President John Dramani Mahama for appointment to the Supreme Court.

She was appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2022 by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Prior to that, she served as a High Court judge and presided over several high-profile cases, including serving on the three-member panel that handled the alleged coup plot involving the late Dr Mac-Palm.

Her expertise covers family law, land law, and alternative dispute resolution.