A 67-year-old Ghanaian food vendor, Ama Forson, has received GH¢20,000 in financial support after spending four years and seven months in prison following what was described as a wrongful conviction for possession of narcotic drugs.
Madam Forson, who was originally sentenced to 11 years in prison, was eventually acquitted and discharged by the Accra High Court, bringing an end to her lengthy legal battle.
Her release was made possible through the POS Foundation’s In-Prison Paralegal Programme, an initiative designed to help prisoners understand legal procedures, identify errors in their cases and pursue appeals when they believe a miscarriage of justice has occurred.
The programme focuses particularly on vulnerable inmates, including people on remand and prisoners who cannot afford professional legal representation.
POS Foundation Supports Access to Justice
Speaking at the premiere of a documentary titled The Untold Story of Ama Forson at the Law Court Complex in Accra, POS Foundation Executive Director Jonathan Osei Owusu said the initiative was providing hope to disadvantaged people who lacked the financial means to hire lawyers.
According to him, the foundation’s work goes beyond exposing challenges within Ghana’s justice delivery system. It also seeks to provide practical solutions that improve access to justice for poor and marginalised people.
Mr Owusu expressed appreciation to the governments of Ghana, the United States and Canada for their continued support for the In-Prison Paralegal Programme.
US Embassy Supports Ghana Justice Sector
The Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Ghana, Virginia Elliot, said the US Government remained committed to strengthening Ghana’s justice sector.
She explained that the US Embassy was supporting training programmes for prosecutors and lawyers on the Case Tracking System, which is designed to improve the monitoring and management of criminal cases.
Ms Elliot said the embassy, through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, was proud to support the In-Prison Paralegal Programme in partnership with the Judiciary, Ghana Prisons Service and POS Foundation.
She added that the programme was helping protect the rights of vulnerable accused persons and promote fairness within the criminal justice system.
The US Embassy is also supporting the Ghana Legal Aid Commission in efforts to establish the country’s first Public Defenders Office, which is expected to expand access to legal representation for people who cannot afford private lawyers.
Ama Forson Receives GH¢20,000 to Start Business
Following her release from prison, efforts are now underway to help Ama Forson rebuild her life and regain her financial independence.
Chief Executive Officer of KAB FAM Ghana Limited, Charles Antwi Boahen, presented Madam Forson with a GH¢20,000 cheque to enable her to start a business.
He also pledged to provide her with electrical appliances and support the education of her son.
The assistance is expected to help the 67-year-old food vendor establish a source of income after spending years behind bars.
Ama Forson’s case has renewed discussions about wrongful convictions, access to justice, legal aid, prison reform and the protection of vulnerable accused persons in Ghana. It also highlights the importance of providing prisoners with adequate legal support to prevent miscarriages of justice.
Source: newsthemegh.com