By Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo, GNA
Tema, March 05, GNA — The Madina Municipal Office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has organised a public education programme for staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in the Madina municipality on the law governing wills in Ghana.
The engagement formed part of efforts to enhance public understanding of legal provisions relating to testamentary dispositions and the protection of vulnerable family members.
Mr John Ato Breboh, the Madina Municipal Director of CHRAJ, who delivered the presentation, explained the legal framework governing the making of wills under the Wills Act, 1971 (Act 360), saying that a will is a legal declaration of a person’s intention regarding the distribution of property after death and must comply strictly with statutory provisions to be valid.
Mr Breboh noted that under the law, any person aged 18 years and above who was of sound mind could make a will in writing to dispose of property to which the person was entitled at the time of death.
He explained that for a will to be valid, it must be signed by the testator and attested by at least two witnesses present at the same time, in accordance with the formalities prescribed under the Wills Act.
He also clarified common misconceptions about the preparation of wills, stating that the law did not restrict the drafting of wills exclusively to legal practitioners.
He said although individuals could prepare their own wills, the document must meet the legal requirements stipulated in the Wills Act to be upheld as valid by the courts.
Touching on the rights of dependants, he explained that the law provided safeguards for spouses, children and other dependants who might be excluded from a will.
He explained that Article 22 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 13 of the Wills Act empowered the courts to make reasonable provision for dependants if the deceased failed to provide adequately for them in a will and hardship would result.
Mr Breboh highlighted further that although a person enjoyed testamentary freedom in distributing property, that freedom was not absolute where the welfare of dependants was concerned.
The participants expressed appreciation for the presentation, describing it as informative and relevant.
Mr Philip Aidoo, the Madina Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service, thanked the Commission for educating staff on the subject, adding that the programme had broadened the understanding of participants on the legal implications of wills and estate planning.
Mr Aidoo also emphasised the importance of institutional collaboration in promoting public education within the municipality.
He noted that the GES had recently partnered with the Narcotics Control Commission on similar educational engagements and was pleased to extend such collaboration to CHRAJ.
He expressed optimism that the partnership between the two institutions would continue to grow stronger, particularly in promoting awareness among students on constitutionally guaranteed rights, freedoms and other subjects important for their holistic development.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah