Internal Publication
Structural obstacles to access to justice for vulnerable people in Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana - the case of Ghana
Produced in the framework of the GIZ regional project Promotion of the Rule of Law and the Judiciary in Africa (ProLa), this study examines structural obstacles to access to justice for vulnerable people in Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. It is based on structured citizen surveys (including 339 interviews in Ghana across urban, peri-urban and rural settings) and complemented by interviews with justice professionals. The analysis is guided by international reference frameworks, notably the OECD typology of structural barriers to justice (geographic barriers, social relationships and experiences, economic costs, service provision gaps, and the digital divide), and informed by practice-oriented guidance from UNDP and UNODC.
Findings show that vulnerable groups face significant constraints already before cases reach trial, including challenges in police interactions, limited legal information, and procedural delays. Within the formal court system, lengthy proceedings, direct and indirect costs, and perceived unequal treatment further restrict effective access—while legal assistance remains scarce and unevenly known. At the same time, traditional dispute resolution mechanisms are often perceived as more accessible and affordable, yet raise concerns regarding procedural safeguards, impartiality and susceptibility to influence. Despite policy prominence, ADR and mediation play a limited role in practice, largely due to low visibility and weak outreach. Based on this evidence, the study formulates actionable recommendations for public authorities, civil society and development partners to strengthen legal aid, reduce costs and delays, expand legal awareness, and improve coordination between formal, traditional and alternative justice pathways.
Author: Eisenberg, Ewald/E.E.
Co-author: Eric Osae
Co-author: Schweizer, Clemens | ORCID: ORCID: 0009-0006-5281-9116
Institution: University of Applied Sciences Kehl | Centre: West African German Centre for Local Governance in Africa (CEGLA)
Type: Book | English
Subjects: Law, Governance
Date: 2025 | Pages: 40
Copyright: Hochschule Kehl - University of Applied Sciences | License: This publication is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
