Eli was unable to speak in public due to her disability, Her passion for advocating for the vulnerable in society intensified after receiving training as a paralegal under the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA-GH) in collaboration with Star Ghana Foundation on February 23, 2018, as part of the GFD GIVES Project in the Volta…
Since then, Mama Eli has been a staunch advocate for the rights of marginalized groups, particularly persons with disabilities (PWDs) and women, championing their causes in various forums
Community outreaches and radio and tv programs under the project gave her the visibility and now host radio and tv program in Ho every week dubbed “Legal Hour by Mama Eli” and “ Amelko menye” meaning we also somebody on Volta star radio. Today, she is the president of “GFD the volta region and speaks on various National and International platforms like the 31st Sessions of the United Nations Convention of the rights of persons with disabilities in Geneva, Switzerland where she presented on the right of persons with disabilities and Gender Based Violence against persons with disabilities and mental health issues and also presented on Ghanaian Justice commitment and Community Engagement in Kenya.
Mother Reunited with Child After FIDA Intervention Over Unlawful Custody and Unpaid Support.
INTRODUCTION
Before the intervention of FIDA the situation on ground was that the mother who was diagnosed of mental illness was very angry and complained of the custody and compensation issue regarding her child. Initially, the mother had agreed for the child to stay with the paternal grandmother to learn the local language. However, she later discovered the child had been taken to the father’s sister in Accra without her consent, and she was unaware of the child’s whereabouts. The mother also claimed that the child’s father owed her compensation, as she had sold all her shop goods during pregnancy to support herself, based on his promise to repay her a promise he failed to fulfill.
PROCEDURE
Through mediation FIDA invited both parties which were the mother and sister of the client’s husband involved in this case which gradually led to a positive change concerning the issue.
CHANGE
FIDA was satisfied with the good work done since that is their main aim of helping people with issues which resulted in the client being happy to finally claim the custody of her son.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
FIDA Secures Home for Wife After Husband’s Sale Attempt.
INTRODUCTION
In January 2015, a female client made a complaint about her husband’s intension to sell their five bedroom house without her consent because he was not interested in the client any longer.
PROCEDURE
Through mediation and negotiation FIDA alongside both parties which include the husband and wife present eventually led to a solution.
CHANGE
Due to the intervention of FIDA the client was satisfied and pleased to have rightfully gained all what she owned in the marriage and also a safe place for her children to stay.
EVIDENCE
No evidence.
FIDA Helps Blind Woman Secure Property After Abusive Marriage.
INTRODUCTION
In August 2015,a compliant was made by a blind woman whose husband was maltreating her because of her predicament. The woman states that she was not blind at the time of her marriage but developed the ailment later in the marriage.
PROCEDURE.
Through consultation from FIDA, the marriage was dissolved with both parties being present because the man was reluctant to marry the blind woman again.
CHANGE
After the involvement of FIDA on this case, the blind woman who was at the verge of loosing what she had worked for legally gained all properties owned jointly in the marriage.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
FIDA Secures Child Support and Housing for Woman After Partner Abandons Family
INTRODUCTION
In July,2015 a female client lodged a complaint about a man she was cohabiting with for 8 years with whom she had three children. Upon her return from her hometown where she had apparently gone to deliver her third child she returned to an empty house, as her partner had moved out. For three years her male partner had refused to support the three children.
PROCEDURE
Through mediation there where action steps put in place for peace and order.
CHANGE
Through the legal aid clinic her partner was asked to make monthly child support payments to look for a permanent place for them since they lived in an abandoned wooden structure. The man agreed and has currently rented a home for the ex -partner and their dependents and both clients are satisfied.
EVIDENCE
No evidence.
Tenant Vacates After Rent Dispute Settlement.
INTRODUCTION
Client had an uncompleted building which she did not have money to complete and needed a tenant who will complete it and the cost will be deducted as rent and the number of years the tenant will occupy the building. Client said per her estimates it was left with GH ¢ 4,500.00 to complete the building. The tenant later said he wanted to have extension to the original design and after came with a bill of GH ¢ 9,400.00. Client said he had done some extension then the rent will automatically change to suite him. The tenant refused to pay the increase.
PROCEDURE
FIDA handled this case though mediation which at the end yielded good results.
CHANGE
The (invitee)tenant agreed on the increase but decided to move out so his remaining balance is paid. Client was satisfied with the outcome of mediation because she was no longer comfortable with the tenant in her house
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Support Secured After Marital Separation.
INTRODUCTION
Client has been married to the husband under the customary marriage for the past 33 years with six (6) but two (2) are deceased. The husband moved out of the rented apartment leaving the four (4) children and the wife. His reason was that the rent was going to be increased and he is no longer interested in the marriage. Meanwhile the husband was not maintaining the wife and children and also wanted them to move back to the husband’s family house in the Eastern Region.
PROCEDURE
Through mediation the client and invitee finally arrived at a peaceful solution.
CHANGE
After mediation of FIDA the husband deposits a monthly allowance for the children and wife at FIDA offices which is then collected by the wife every month. He also pays for the children school fees and he is yet to see the family for the dissolution of the marriage.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Teacher Remanded in Defilement Case.
INTRODUCTION
Samira is a 15 year old girl at St Monica Primary School in Nyankpala. She left her house on the 21st of September 2013 without any notice; her parents became very much worried for the unannounced disappearance. They reported the incident to the police whilst they mounted search for her. It was revealed that she had left with a neighbour’s mobile phone, so they called the number and a different voice responded, indicating that she was being camped in an unknown place ready to be killed. Upon serious search, the family found her in Tamale in the room of her class teacher. When medical examination was made, she was six weeks pregnant.
PROCEDURE
Through mediation and collaboration of DOVVSU the teacher was caught.
CHANGE
DOVVSU took the matter up to arrest the teacher, but he absconded. The paralegal centre then advised the family of Samira to set spies to trail the teacher and alert DOVVSU any time he is spotted anywhere. This was done until the teacher was invited by the Ghana Education Service (GES) Director to answer queries. One of the spies then informed Samira’s parent who in turn invited the DOVVSU, and he was arrested, though with resistance from the Director. The paralegal centre collaborated with DOVVSU, and the case was sent to court. DOVVSU gave feedback to the paralegal centre that attempts have been made to bribe them to withdraw the case for amicable resolution at home, but they are resolute in getting the court to determine the case. Currently the teacher has been remanded whilst he is being tried for defilement. The pregnancy of Samira has, however, been terminated by a qualified medical doctor because it was as a result of defilement, so she has since gone back to school.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Prophet Compensates Wife After Divorce Settlement
INTRODUCTION
Client complained that her husband, who was a prophet, was allegedly flirting with his church secretary and therefore wanted a divorce and compensation from him.
PROCEDURE
Through mediation the client and her husband arrived at a reasonable solution.
CHANGE
After months of mediation, both parties finally agreed to dissolve their marriage and the invitee to compensate client. At the end of the mediation process, the client was compensated with a plot of land and the invitee is providing regular financial support and maintenance for their children.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Land Dispute Resolved with Full Compensation Paid
INTRODUCTION
Client came with a report that a piece of land she owns and has built a foundation on has been occupied by someone else.
PROCEDURE
Through mediation both parties(the client and occupant) finally came to a peaceful agreement.
CHANGE
FIDA invited the occupant and he confirmed it and also stated that his wife runs a kiosk on it. FIDA gave him options to either move away or pay for the foundation. After the mediation process, invitee agreed to pay an amount of 1,000 Ghana cedis to client and has paid seven hundred Ghana cedis for now. The outstanding balance of three hundred Ghana cedis was paid by invitee’s wife after a month’s time.
EVIDENCE
No evidence.
Father Resumes Child Maintenance After Mediation and Custody Agreement with FIDA
INTRODUCTION
A complainant client lodged a complaint about the lack of maintenance of her child by the child’s father. According to complainant, she got pregnant two years after she met the invitee, only to realize that he was a married man. After childbirth, the invitee was performing his responsibilities as a father until he stopped all of a sudden.
PROCEDURE
FIDA called upon the father of the child (invitee) for a mediation session, During the mediation process, the invitee alleged that complainant kept calling at his house for trivial and unimportant reasons which disturbed his marriage. He then decided to take custody of the child and both parties agreed.
CHANGE
The invitee reported that the child is of bad behavior so he would like to return the child to the mother, but the complainant refused with the excuse that she had no place to stay and invitee offered to rent a place for her. He also promised to enroll the child in a school closer to his mother and take all the necessary responsibilities. The child now stays with his mother and the invitee now maintains the child regularly.
EVIDENCE
No evidence.
Siblings Settle Property Dispute Through FIDA Mediation.
INTRODUCTION
A client lodged a complaint that her deceased brother’s children were fighting over some properties he left behind.
PROCEDURE
FIDA then invited her nieces and nephews for a mediation session.
CHANGE
At the end of the deliberations, the matter was settled amicably and an agreement was reached that the properties be divided among them.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Loan Guarantor Dispute Resolved Through FIDA Mediation
INTRODUCTION
A client complained that some women she went for some loan together with, which she was the guarantor were refusing to pay back, which was causing her harassment from the money lenders.
PROCEDURE
After a series of mediation sessions, the matter was settled amicably.
CHANGE
the invitees agreed to send the monies to our client.
EVIDENCE
No evidence.
Domestic Dispute Resolved; Husband Commits to Support
INTRODUCTION
A client reported that her husband was subjecting her to domestic violence and also not taking care of the children.
PROCEDURE
FIDA scheduled an appointment with the invitee( her husband )for a mediation session.
CHANGE
After the intervention of FIDA the invitee agreed to fulfill his duties by catering for the needs of the children, renting an apartment for his wife and children and also provide a business capital for his wife.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Child Maintenance Increased After FIDA Mediation.
INTRODUCTION
A client reported that her husband was not consistent with their child’s maintenance and demanded an increase.
PROCEDURE
FIDA handled this case through a mediation process with both parties present.
CHANGE
After the mediation process it resulted in the invitee agreeing to pay 300 Ghana cedis monthly instead of 200 Ghana cedis to cover the child’s transport cost and communicate with the client for the sake of their child.
EVIDENCE
No evidence.
Client Advised on Divorce and Property Rights After Marital Neglect.
INTRODUCTION
A client reported that her husband after nine years of marriage neglected her for two and half years.
PROCEDURE
Through the mediation process both parties arrived at a conclusion.
CHANGE
FIDA gave client advice on how to go about the divorce proceeding and potential conflict with husband over property.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Marital Dispute Addressed Through FIDA Mediation.
INTRODUCTION
A client reported that after seven years of marriage she later found out that her husband had not been faithful and emotionally available.
PROCEDURE
Both parties being present a mediation process began.
CHANGE
FIDA invited the husband for a mediation session and some counseling was offered to help them resolve their marital issues amicably.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Dispute Over Matrimonial Property Settled Through FIDA Mediation.
INTRODUCTION
A client reported that their deceased father had no children with the deceased stepmother but the family of their deceased stepmother decided to sell the matrimonial house their deceased father gave to their stepmother.
PROCEDURE
Through the interference of FIDA, the approach used in such a case was through mediation. FIDA invited the family over for a mediation session, the administrator of the deceased and the brother of the deceased asked to consider settling their differences in relation to the provisions under the paragraph 3 and 4 of the will of the deceased, Mr. Larbi.
CHANGE
After the mediation process it was agreed that the matrimonial home should be given to the three children and the deceased spouse part should go to her family. The children were to buy out the family part. Also the same PNDC 111 principle should be used for the commercial property at Tema.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Couple Reconciles After FIDA Mediation.
INTRODUCTION
A client reported that she and her husband have been married for the past fifteen years with three children, has been abusing her and is also having extra marital affairs.
PROCEDURE
This case was settled through mediation with both parties( wife and husband) present at FIDA.
CHANGE
After the interference of FIDA through mediation sessions the couple agreed to make peace and invitee to go back to the house.
EVIDENCE
No evidence
Ex-Wife’s Witchcraft Accusation Strains Family”.
INTRODUCTION
The client reported that her husband’s ex -wife has been accusing her to be a witch because a pastor said so and the client suggested to see the pastor to confirm if it was true but the ex-wife abused her with insults and also told her children who were staying with the client and who was also taking of her children that she was a witch and the children refused to give her the due respect.
PROCEDURE
Both parties were invited to FIDA, to go through a mediation process.
CHANGE
And after several mediations both were counseled to respect each other’s contribution effort in bringing up both their children and also the ex-wife was told to look for a job in order to share in the payment of the expenses of the children
EVIDENCE
No evidence .
No Responses