A four-year partnership between German Development Cooperation and Ghana’s justice sector has delivered a range of reforms aimed at improving access to justice, strengthening legal institutions and expanding public access to legal information.
Stakeholders have described the initiative as a major milestone in efforts to modernise and enhance Ghana’s justice delivery system.
The achievements were showcased during Legal Days 2026, an event organised to mark the successful completion of the Promotion of the Rule of Law and the Judiciary in Africa (PRoLA) project.
The project was implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice, on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Over the past four years, the programme has supported reforms designed to make justice services more accessible, improve institutional capacity and strengthen the legal framework needed to promote accountability, transparency and the rule of law in Ghana.
Over the past four years, the initiative brought together government institutions, the judiciary, legal practitioners, civil society organisations and development partners to promote legal empowerment, enhance institutional capacity and advance reforms designed to make justice more accessible, transparent and inclusive.
Speaking on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Justice, the Chief State Attorney, Frances Ansah, said the programme had made a meaningful contribution to justice sector development not only in Ghana but across participating African countries.
“Across Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Tanzania, and Ghana, this project has strengthened justice institutions and advanced a shared vision of justice that is accessible, fair, and trusted by all.”
One of the project’s most significant achievements was the digitisation and publication of approximately 300,000 pages of legal documents, including legislation, court rulings and other important legal resources. The materials have been made freely available online, expanding public access to legal information across the country.
The initiative was implemented through a collaborative effort involving the Ghana Legal Information Institute, AfricanLII, the Judicial Service of Ghana, Parliament, and the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice.
As part of Legal Days 2026, stakeholders also unveiled an upgraded GhaLII platform alongside MyGhaLII, a new system designed to provide users with enhanced search functionality and easier access to legal resources.
The upgraded platforms are expected to benefit lawyers, judges, researchers, students and the general public by making legal information more accessible and easier to navigate.
Organisers said the digital transformation initiative will help promote greater transparency within Ghana’s legal system while reducing barriers that have traditionally limited access to legal information.
The project also focused on improving access to justice for disadvantaged and underserved populations by strengthening A key component of the programme focused on strengthening community-based legal support systems across the country.
Under the initiative, more than 600 paralegals received specialised training to provide legal education, guidance and referral services within their communities. Through their work, over 9,300 people—particularly women and other vulnerable groups—gained access to legal information, advisory services and referrals to relevant institutions for assistance.
The programme also facilitated the development of a draft Legislative Instrument aimed at creating a more structured regulatory framework for paralegal practice in Ghana.
Beyond community-level legal support, the Promotion of the Rule of Law and Justice in Ghana (PRoLA) project invested significantly in strengthening professional capacity across various specialised areas of legal practice.
More than 510 professionals working in commercial law, alternative dispute resolution and legal advisory services participated in training and knowledge-sharing programmes designed to enhance legal services available to businesses and investors.
The initiative further contributed to efforts to strengthen judicial integrity by supporting the practical application of the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct within Ghana’s Judiciary.
Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ghana, Frederik Landshöft, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s democratic governance and legal institutions.
“Rule of law is not simply a legal principle; it protects rights, creates opportunities and builds trust. Trust is the foundation of democracy and economic development,” he said.
The Ambassador added that Germany remains committed to deepening cooperation with Ghana, particularly in strengthening transparent investment frameworks and effective dispute-resolution mechanisms that will benefit future generations.
Representing the Chief Justice, Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang said the benefits of the project would extend well beyond its official conclusion.
According to him, the achievements recorded under the programme demonstrate the importance of sustained collaboration in building a justice system that is more accessible, responsive and inclusive.
He noted that stronger institutions, improved legal information systems and enhanced professional capacity would continue to support ongoing reforms within Ghana’s justice sector.
The event brought together representatives from the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, the Judicial Service, Parliament, the Ghana School of Law, the Legal Aid Commission, civil society organisations, development partners and members of the legal profession to review the project’s achievements and explore future opportunities for collaboration in advancing the rule of law.
Although the PRoLA project has officially come to an end, participants expressed confidence that its legacy will endure through stronger institutions, expanded access to justice and lasting partnerships aimed at promoting fairness, accountability and public confidence in Ghana’s legal system.