A Bold Stand for Justice: How Yaw Twumasi Ankrah Secured a Landmark ₵910,000 Win Against the Ghana Immigration Service
By: Tracy Owusu
In a powerful display of legal prowess and commitment to justice, Ghanaian lawyer Yaw Twumasi Ankrah has secured a landmark victory against the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), winning over ₵910,000 in damages for his client, Kwabena Baffour Asare. This ruling not only compensates a wronged citizen but sends a strong message: no institution is above the law.
The case stemmed from a distressing incident in May 2022, when Mr. Asare, a Ghanaian resident in Berlin, returned home for his mother’s funeral. On June 17, 2022, while attempting to fly back to Germany, he was wrongfully detained by GIS officials at Kotoka International Airport, mistaken for a wanted individual. Even after securing a police clearance confirming his innocence, GIS officers denied him boarding a second time, causing him to miss his flight, lose his job in Germany, and suffer immense emotional and financial distress.
Enter Yaw Twumasi Ankrah—a legal mind who saw not just a wrongful arrest, but a violation of constitutional rights. He took on the case, navigating its complexities and fighting to ensure that Mr. Asare’s suffering did not go unnoticed or unpunished. The result? Justice.
Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh’s ruling was clear and impactful: GIS had violated Mr. Asare’s fundamental human rights. The court awarded GH₵650,000 in general damages, GH₵250,000 for loss of earnings, GH₵10,000 in special damages, and GH₵50,000 in legal costs—bringing the total to a staggering GH₵910,000.
This win is not just a triumph for Mr. Asare; it’s a wake-up call for public institutions. It reminds all duty bearers that negligence, abuse of power, and failure to uphold citizens’ rights have real consequences.
But perhaps the greatest victory lies in the precedent this case sets. Many victims of public sector negligence suffer in silence, unsure of their rights or afraid to challenge authority. Mr. Asare’s case, championed by Ankrah, proves that the legal system can work for the people—if they’re bold enough to seek justice.
Commendations Are In Order
- To Kwabena Baffour Asare – for his courage to fight back against an unjust system.
- To Yaw Twumasi Ankrah – for his exceptional legal skill and commitment to defending constitutional rights. This win reinforces the power of the law when wielded with integrity and purpose.
- To Justice Ayitey Armah-Tetteh – for a decisive ruling that strengthens public confidence in Ghana’s judiciary and sets a benchmark for future human rights cases.
This case is a testament to what happens when legal minds stand firm against systemic negligence. It’s a victory not just for one man but for all Ghanaians who believe in justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
As Yaw Twumasi Ankrah’s victory echoes through Ghana’s legal corridors, one thing is certain: the fight for justice is alive and well. And thanks to lawyers like him, no citizen stands alone.
