The Association of Ghanaian Lawyers of America, Inc. (“AGLA”) provided free legal advice and counsel to Ghanaians and others on Saturday, April 18, 2009, at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Harlem, New York.

AGLA is a newly formed association of lawyers of Ghanaian descent, who practice in the US. Its members practice in all areas of law and work at every level of government, in non-profit organizations and the private sector. Volunteer lawyers assisted members of the community with matters involving family law, immigration law, workers’ compensation, personal injury, business incorporation and tax matters from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on a beautiful Saturday in April. The event was well received by all in attendance.

Attendee Dr. Ben Hayford shared his experience saying: “I really liked the individual attention I received from the attorneys in a private, face-to-face, question and answer session. I was able to ask all my questions and I received helpful guidance. I look forward to more of these needed events.” According to AGLA Treasurer, Jennifer Opoku-Asare, AGLA has been asked to host a similar free legal clinic in the Bronx later this summer. “We need to bring the law to our people,” says Opoku-Asare. She adds that AGLA will also host a free legal clinic in New Jersey in the near future.

Recapping the event, AGLA president, Kwaku Boafoh Agyeman, expressed great satisfaction with the level of participation and the quality of service provided to the community. “I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of legal issues that were addressed at the clinic. Our community needs help with a variety of legal issues, including wills, landlord/tenant and criminal law to name a few, not just immigration matters.” Agyeman thanked the lawyers for volunteering their time to the Ghanaian community and the Presbyterian Church of Ghana for offering its premises in support of AGLA’s community service work. Ivy Quarshie, Secretary of the National Council of Ghanaian Associations (“NCOGA”), encouraged Ghanaians to take advantage of future free legal services events. She commended the lawyers for recognizing the need to help Ghanaians and Africans access, understand and navigate the complex US legal system. The free legal clinic was hosted by AGLA, in collaboration with NCOGA. NCOGA and the Law Office of Eric Darko provided refreshments for all in attendance.

About the Association of Ghanaian Lawyers of America The Association of Ghanaian Lawyers of America is incorporated in New York as a domestic-not-for-profit organization and is established for the purposes of facilitating and improving the administration of justice both in Ghana and in the United States of America; serving the needs of the Ghanaian and the American communities in their understanding of and access to the law and the courts; educating and assisting member attorneys; and promoting the spirit of collegiality.

For more information see: www.ghanalawyersusa.com