The Provision of Legal Information to Rural Populations in Anglophone Africa

Abstract

The article examines the provision of legal information to people in rural areas in the English speaking states of Africa. It is noted that very little has been done by the states in the region to provide this vital information to the rural public. Although much effort has been made to disseminate information on agriculture, health, environment, etc., to alert and inform the people the importance of these activities in socio-economic development, legal information appears to have been ignored. It is felt that legal information is equally important in rural development as it enables people to live within the confines of the law which goes a long way to support the maintenance of law and order a crucial ingredient in socio-economic development. The work analyses the composition of the rural population, the work they do; and how these people can access legal information. Although a number of agencies can assist in the provision of legal materials in support of legal awareness, it is felt that the public library can take a leading role in this direction. Whereas it is noted that the public library in the third world might not have the financial resources to provide adequate services, it is suggested that it solicits assistance from government and non-governmental organisations to realise this objective. The Provision of Legal Information to Rural Populations in Anglophone Africa