The HRAC in its bid to ensure the realisation and protection of human rights in Ghana operates a human rights clinic which offers free legal services to people, whose rights have been infringed upon. The Clinic has recorded a total of 523 cases as of June 2011 (since it became operational in April 2009. These cases recorded so far include rape/defilement, sexual harassment, refugees rights, immigration, police brutality, assault, unlawful detention, child negligence , child custody, non maintenance, adoption, incest, abduction, divorce, inheritance disputes, estate disputes, employment difficulties, defamation, fraud, theft/ robbery, murder, consumer rights, insurance claims, environmental protection, breach of contract, harassment of Men who have Sex with Men chieftaincy disputes, wrongful dismissal, pension computation, invasion of privacy and debt recovery. Volunteers based on their qualifications are involved in a number of activities including interviewing and writing statements on behalf of clients, preparing legal briefs/opinions and court documents under the supervision of experienced lawyers and human rights activists both within the HRAC and other affiliate bodies. Interns and Volunteers also check court proceedings on behalf of their clients; file court documents, accompany them, especially juveniles and women to court. As case officers, interns write letters on behalf of clients to investigate a case, request for documents or refer clients to the Pro Bono Network (set up the HRAC) and other constitutionally mandated bodies such as the Legal Aid Scheme, the Ghana Police Service, the Prison Service and other relevant institutions when necessary whilst arranging meetings with other organisation e.g. UNHCR, UNAIDS, Parliament, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Judiciary and relevant organizations. In addition, volunteers are involved in fact-finding missions; prison visits to interview remand prisoners. The involvement and contribution of volunteers to the Clinic cannot be overstated. Below are a few of cases (remand, public interest litigation and maintenance) successfully handled by the Clinic with the assistance of hard working and committed volunteers.

Remand Cases -The Clinic is currently handing 25 remind cases.

1. The Clinic sent a request to the Nsawam Prisons, the largest prison in Ghana, to interview 15 inmates on remand (This was after the clinic was petitioned by relatives of the victims). They were interviewed by interns, with the view of representing them in court since most of them had been on remand for several years. One of the inmates was arrested for stealing clothes and other items in 2005. He was a juvenile at the time the crime was committed. Nevertheless he was not tried at a juvenile court but he was sent to Nsawam prison on remand where he was detained for more then five years without trial. The HRAC intervened and filed a habeas corpus on his behalf at the Human Rights Court, which was granted in 2010.The client was finally acquitted and discharged in July 2011.
2. Isaac Agyemang is a taxi driver in the Manya Krobo District of the Eastern region. Mr. Agyemang was engaged by unknown persons to transport them to Madina and Mallam (both suburbs of Accra). Unknowingly to Mr. Agyemang, the passengers had in luggage Indian hemp. He was arrested after the passengers absconded on being stopped by the Police on the Dodowa road. He was arraigned before the Dodowa Magistrate Court in the last quarter of 2008 where the case was subsequently transferred to the Tema Circuit Court " A ". After his plea of "not guilty " had been taken on June 5, 2009, Mr. Agyeman had been taken to court on four occasions, and in hearing the did not commence but adjourned . Subsequently the case had been adjourned 12 times. The HRAC through a petition moved a Motion for Writ of Habeas Corpus on Mr. Agyeman’s behalf at the Human Rights Court in Accra. With no explanation by the State for the delay in trial for more than two and half years, and pursuant to Article 14 (4) of the 1992 Constitution, the Judge released the suspect on bail in the sum of GHC 20,000 with one surety.
3. Mr. Harrison Dzubi had been arrested for allegedly assaulting another. On his arrest the Police found on him a review card from the Accra Psychiatric hospital which suggested that Mr. Dzubi was an outpatient of the hospital. He was therefore remanded at the Accra Psychiatric hospital when he was arraigned before court. Nana Oye Lithur, Ingo Borgdorf, Dora Ohene Kyei and Roomy Green (volunteers) represented Mr. Dzubi at the Human Rights Court. Giving evidence to support the application, Nana Oye argued that the suspect’s incarceration was not in accordance with the Mental Health Decree of 1972, as the Court did not adhere to the process involved in remanding an accused at the mental health home. She further argued that his wrongful incarceration contravened international laws that protect persons with disabilities, the Constitution and Persons with Disability Act. Nana therefore asked that Mr Dzubi be granted bail or be discharged. The Judge granted the application stating that there was no doubt the applicant had been in custody since 2004.

1. The local fisher folk of the Mpakadan community located close to the Volta Lake in the Eastern region had been, for several years, prevented from fishing (within the entry and landing site where the locals have derived their source of livelihoods after relocation in 19962) by security officers of Tropo Farms. Tropo Farms is an investment company (which claimed the Government of Ghana had granted it concession of a portion of the Volta Lake) deals in tilapia cultivation. According to a report by the "Insight" newspaper, the armed security guards of Tropo farms had fired live bullets at "encroachers" (residents), beaten and trampled upon. Further, the report had it that two siblings (Robert and Gabrie Avorgbedoh were arrested by the guards, tired with rope, beaten dragged on the ground, sent to the police and charged with stealing three fishes and encroaching on private property. The locals are part of many communities that were resettled following the construction of the Akosombo Dam in the early 1950s that displaced several communities on the bank of the Lake. The HRAC intervened in the matter by conducting a fact-finding mission in the area by administering questionnaire to the residents of Mpakadan to ascertain claims made by reports and the alleged human rights abuses. The HRAC observed that the residents" socio- economic rights and dignity were being violated, and were arbitrarily arrested and detained. The HRAC therefore proceeded to offer legal representation to the accused persons in a court action which dragged on for a year. However, the court upheld the HRAC defence, and acquitted and discharged the accused persons.

A motor accident victim called on the HRAC clinic to help him procure a signed medical report since he had a valid insurance claim against the driver of the car that hit him. The surgeon who performed a bone surgery on him demanded a fee in exchange for the medical report. The HRAC made the necessary enquiries at Ghana Health Service and the hospital in which he was admitted. The case was consequently resolved when the director called the client to come for the medical report in order to help him make his claims.
A mother of three lodged a complaint against her husband from whom she was separated for inadequate maintenance for their children"s upkeep and education. The HRAC invited the client and her husband over for a mediation exercise which is sanctioned under the Arbitration Act.. The parties agreed on the terms of settlement which is been complied by both parties (this was confirmed by our client.

"I am a 4th year Arts/Law student from Monash University, Australia. I came to the HRAC for 3 months over my summer break.
I worked on many different projects while at the HRAC. Not only was I the case officer for some cases from the Human Rights Clinic, I also drafted various letters, affidavits and legal opinions. Furthermore I was fortunate enough to attend a number of conferences while at the HRAC including the TED X Women Empowerment Conference. The work varied from day to day, which meant the work day was always interesting.
I enjoyed the experience of working within the court system of another country. It was interesting to compare the Ghanaian court system with Australia.
Come with an open mind, be prepared to do lots of different types of tasks and be patient.
Mainly the staff, everyone was very welcoming and helpful."

"Currently taking a break from studying International and Global studies at the University of Sydney to travel West Africa.
I assisted in writing an extensive study on female and male sex workers in Ghana and the abuses inflicted upon them by the Ghanaian Police Service. I also worked on a child trafficking case on which I wrote a press release and an amicus curiae in order to stop the case from going to an out of court settlement.
I mostly enjoyed attending various human rights seminars headed by Nana as they gave an insight to other opinions on specific issues in Ghana such as abortion.
It's a fantastic opportunity to get worthwhile experience in the field of West African human rights. The cases and research tasks are eye opening and give you the chance to become actively involved in solving human rights abuses in Ghana. I will miss working with great people in a friendly environment whilst kicking some human rights ass."

" I just graduated from the Free University of Amsterdam after doing my master in Public Administration. I am in Ghana as a volunteer with Projects Abroad and I have been at the HRAC for one month.
I assisted and worked on many different projects and cases. The case that got most of my attention was about a police shooting at a Liberian refugee camp. In this case, HRAC worked together with Amnesty International and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Beside this big case, I also worked on a rape case and a case where a client wanted to change his name. I really enjoyed the fieldtrips to prisons, a mental hospital, and the Liberian refugee camp and learning about Ghanaian legislation. These experiences gave me a good idea about the Ghanaian way of life and culture.
It is a great opportunity to get a first hand experience of the human rights violations in Ghana and in West Africa. But the keywords are patience and adaption. Patience because the Ghanaian way takes a bit more time than what you are used to, and adaption because all the impressions and experiences you will get can be mind blowing.
I guess I will miss the good working environment and working with the staff and the volunteers. Those ingredients are the best recipe for a great experience in human rights in Ghana."

"I can't begin to thank you enough for all of the opportunities that you gave me during my time at the HRAC - it was definitely the most treasured work I have done and it has cemented my commitment to this field of law - I very much look forward to starting at Oxford with that mindset. You do very important work there and I learnt an endless amount about patience, persistence and perseverance during my time there."

"I recently completed my articles with a large corporate law firm and made the decision to leave the field of corporate law to pursue a career in a legal environment more aligned with my personal interests and priorities.
I was involved in a diverse range of projects and client files during my time at the HRAC. I conducted many client interviews, both in the office and on the field, and advocated on behalf of clients in various formal and informal settings, including prisons and psychiatric hospitals. I was also fortunate to attend several policy conferences and to assist in the drafting of a comprehensive gender equity initiative for the Ghanaian school system.
You will quickly come to grips with the realization that you are not single-handedly going to change the world in one trip, yet, you will make a positive impact in a way that buying wristbands and donating money from the comfort of your couch never could. By volunteering with the HRAC not only will you make a very unique contribution to the community that money alone never could, but you will also gain an experience that will stay with you for life.
The challenge of getting myself out of my comfort zone, a new job, new culture, new living arrangements, new colleagues and new support network all in one go. There are not many better ways of both simultaneously testing your adaptability and expanding your perspective.
The opportunity to work on with and for other people on issues that forced me to reassess what is truly important in life and where it is that I should focus my own priorities. If you're thinking about volunteering with the HRAC, do it!"

"I found myself in HRAC late October after being posted by the National Service Scheme to serve for a year after my education at the Ghana School of Law.
Among my duties were interviewing clients, researching legal topics, drafting legal documents and part of a legal team representing clients and handled cases involving remand prisoners and civil cases in court. I worked on cases from various fields including civil (matrimonial causes, labor, Refugee, estate, Letters of Administration and adoption) and criminal (murder and bail). I was also in charge of the Pro-Bono Network of Lawyers of HRAC and member.
Working with compassionate, affable and dedicated people at HRAC made it all the more easy to accomplish much. The experience I gained was also to be expected because it was made available to me. I appreciate the time I spent at HRAC because I have learned and gained a lot than just book knowledge. I will forever be grateful to Nana Oye Lithur and her staff, and will always be waiting to help when I am called on."