The International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ghana chapter (FIDA-Ghana), has trained a second batch of paralegals from the Ashanti and North East Regions. This capacity-building initiative, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aims to strengthen adolescents' access to justice, protection, and support services. The training focused on deepening participants' knowledge of adolescents' rights and improving their ability to support young people navigating justice and child protection systems.
The training brought together paralegals who will serve as important first points of contact for adolescents seeking legal help, protection, and referral services. Participants were taken through practical sessions on the challenges adolescents face in accessing justice. These challenges include limited awareness of their rights, access to legal representation, barriers to reporting abuse, child protection concerns, gender-based violence, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.
The sessions addressed how paralegals can support adolescents to access appropriate referral pathways and support services. A key focus of the training was equipping participants with the skills to provide safe, child-friendly, confidential, and appropriate support to adolescents. Participants were also equipped to identify cases requiring specialised intervention and work with relevant institutions, including legal aid providers, social welfare officers, health services, and child protection agencies.
Through this initiative, FIDA-Ghana is expanding a network of trained paralegals across the Ashanti and North East Regions. These paralegals can support adolescents in understanding and claiming their rights. Continued capacity-building will help ensure that adolescents, particularly those at risk of abuse, exploitation, or gender-based violence, can speak up safely and receive timely assistance.
The training is part of broader efforts to create a more responsive justice and protection system for young people in Ghana. FIDA-Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners, including the UNFPA, to strengthen access to justice for adolescents. Trained paralegals play a critical role in bridging the gap between adolescents and formal justice and protection systems, especially in communities with limited awareness of rights and available services.
The second batch of trained paralegals is expected to support awareness creation, case identification, referrals, and community-level advocacy on adolescents' rights, child protection, and access to justice. This initiative aims to create a more supportive environment for adolescents to access justice and protection services. The trained paralegals will work closely with relevant institutions to ensure that adolescents receive the support they need.
FIDA-Ghana's efforts to empower paralegals will contribute to a more just and protective society for adolescents in Ghana. By expanding the network of trained paralegals, FIDA-Ghana is helping to ensure that adolescents have access to the support and services they need to thrive. The organisation's commitment to working with partners will help to strengthen access to justice for adolescents across the country.
Key points
- FIDA-Ghana trains paralegals to support adolescents' access to justice and protection services in Ashanti and North East regions.
- The training aims to strengthen adolescents' access to justice, protection, and support services.
- Trained paralegals will support awareness creation, case identification, referrals, and community-level advocacy on adolescents' rights.
