Dominic Ayine proposes duty-lawyer scheme for suspects at police stations

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dr. Dominic A. Ayine has proposed the establishment of a duty-lawyer scheme at police stations and courts to safeguard the constitutional rights of suspects. Speaking at the launch of the Legal Aid Commission’s 2026 Legal Aid Week in Accra, themed "Justice at Your Doorstep," Dr. Ayine emphasized that legal representation must be accessible from the very beginning of the criminal justice process. He argued that having lawyers present during police investigations and first court appearances is essential to fulfilling the requirements of Article 14(2) of the 1992 Constitution, which protects the rights of those in custody.

The proposed initiative aims to bridge the gap in legal access for vulnerable and marginalized individuals who often face the justice system without professional guidance. Dr. Ayine called for the expansion of legal aid services beyond regional capitals into district communities through the use of mobile legal clinics. To support this growth, he urged the Ghana Bar Association to encourage more pro bono work among its members and suggested the creation of supervised legal clinics in collaboration with university law faculties to provide basic legal advice to those in need.

Beyond physical representation, the Attorney General highlighted the necessity of modernizing legal aid delivery to increase its reach. This includes the implementation of technology-driven solutions, such as toll-free lines and resources available in local languages, to ensure that language barriers do not impede access to justice. Dr. Ayine also stressed the importance of securing predictable funding and ensuring transparency in legal services. He advocated for regular case reviews for individuals currently in detention without representation and the integration of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms to expedite the resolution of cases.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Ayine reiterated that access to justice should not be a privilege reserved for those with financial means but a fundamental right for all Ghanaians. He called for closer collaboration with traditional authorities and robust performance reporting to enhance the Commission's effectiveness in the years ahead. By placing "justice at the doorstep" of every citizen, the government aims to strengthen the rule of law and ensure that the rights of every suspect are protected from the moment of arrest through to final adjudication.