AGLA Announces First Legal Clinic in New York

The Association of Ghanaian Lawyers of America (AGLA) announces first Legal Clinic New York, NY, March 11, 2009 -- The Association of Ghana Lawyers of America in collaboration with the National Council of Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA) is organizing a legal clinic on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the premises of the Ghana Presbyterian Church located at 259 W 123rd Street, Harlem, NY 10027. The legal clinic, the first in a series of anticipated clinics, offers free advice on pestering legal questions of members of the Ghanaian community.

The no-holds-barred maiden clinic will field questions in many areas of US law including immigration, family, criminal, wills and trusts, probate, bankruptcy, business incorporation, personal injury, social security and welfare, tax, workers’ compensation, employment discrimination law and others. Many accomplished and experienced Ghanaian attorneys licensed to practice in the New York and New Jersey area, as well as those licensed in other states will be on hand to provide legal advice to members of the community in a confidential setting. It is expected that participants with pressing legal problems can freely seek advice in a confidential atmosphere and without fear of any negative consequences. Although, like others clinics, this clinic does not establish an attorney-client relationship between the attorneys and those seeking advise, participants will acquire useful information and direction on how to proceed with their specific legal problem. Ghanaian attorneys practice at the federal, state and city levels of government, law firms, public interest and non-profit sectors, academia, county and prosecutors’ offices, non-governmental organizations and many other sectors. They bring immense experience advising numerous clients to this clinic. Participants are encouraged to attend and to glean enough information to equip them in preparing their cases with their attorneys in the future.


Speaking on the legal clinic, the President of AGLA, Kwaku Boafoh Agyeman, Esq. said he is particularly pleased that, although AGLA is a fairly new organization, it is taking its leadership position and giving back to the community of Ghanaians in the US. Mr. Agyeman said, “AGLA expects that its excellent collaboration with NCOGA will result in similar events for the benefit of our community.” He thanked NCOGA for its commitment to the legal clinic and its continued and tireless work for the community. Vice President of AGLA, Abena Darkeh, Esq. said “this clinic is one of many programs AGLA will be organizing to assist the Ghanaian community in the US. We recognize that many people in our community are hurting at this time of economic difficulty and we are glad to make this small contribution to our folks.” Ms. Darkeh encouraged members of the community to attend the clinic on April 18, 2008 and take advantage of the vast expertise of Ghanaian attorneys available to them for free. She reminded Ghanaians that, “in addition to their legal knowledge, many AGLA members speak Ghanaian languages like Twi, Hausa, Ewe, Ga, etc. and will be happy to communicate more effectively in Ghanaian languages where needed.” Residents of all states are welcome to attend this maiden clinic in New York. AGLA hopes that, on a case-by-case basis, it can bring together its attorneys to assist indigent Ghanaians who need legal help.

About the Association of Ghana Lawyers of America


The Association of Ghanaian Lawyers of America is incorporated in New York as a domestic-not-for-profit organization and is established for the purposes of facilitating and improving the administration of justice both in Ghana and in the United States of America; serving the needs of members of the Ghanaian and American communities as a whole in their understanding of and access to law and the courts; and educating and assisting member attorneys and promoting the spirit of collegiality among the members thereof.