The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has donated office equipment and other items valued about US$300,000.00 in support of the Ghana Legal Aid Scheme.
These included 80 desktop and laptop computers with accessories, 28 photocopiers, 31 printers, 20 scanners, 51 hard drives, 72 uninterrupted power supply (UPS), 20 motorbikes, office furniture and mediation tables.
Mr. Dominic Sam, the UNDP�s Country Director, handing the items over at a ceremony in Kumasi, said it was to assist the government to open 16 new district offices.
The scheme presently operates in the regional capitals only.
He noted that peace and socio-economic transformation could be achieved only when there was justice.
In its absence, would be tyranny, poverty, violence, impunity and instability and that is why all needed to work together to ensure the rule of law.
Mr. Justice William Atuguba, a Justice of the Supreme Court and Board Chairman of Legal Aid, challenged all Ghanaians to strive to own the nation by making sure that laws were obeyed and followed.
He rallied the people to give support to the operation of the legal aid scheme.
Dr. Dominic Ayine, Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, announced the decision to create a Directorate of Public Defense and Citizens� Advisory Bureau to broaden access to legal aid.
The goal was to make sure that the poor receive justice.
Mr. Yahaya Al-hassan Seini, Director of Legal Aid, said the scheme was there to assist those who could not afford the services of a lawyer.
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