FIDA initiates community paralegal scheme

Accra, May 5, GNA - The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in collaboration with the Open Society Initiative of West Africa (OSIWA) on Tuesday started a community based paralegal scheme in Ghana.

The paralegal scheme seeks to empower community-based opinion leaders with basic legal training and understanding in the domestic violence law, the right of children and women, intestate secession law, the marriage ordinances and human rights.

Inaugurating the Association of Paralegals for the Ledzokuku-Krowor Municipality in Accra, Mrs Chris Dadzie, a Member of the Executive Board of FIDA-Ghana, explained that the paralegal scheme formed part of the Federation's Legal Aid Services and mobile outreach clinics.

She called on traditional rulers and Metropolitan and District Assemblies to support the effort of the paralegal officers for prompt delivery of legal aid to the people especially the vulnerable and women.

Mrs Dadzie urged the paralegals not to assume the role of lawyers or judges in the community but consider the services as legal aid providers and community sensitization group. 5 May 09