Accra: Fifty Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), government officials, and donor partners have assembled in Accra to evaluate Ghana’s human rights progression, implementation, and lapses. At a two-day national workshop that commenced on Tuesday, stakeholders aimed to draft and validate a unified CSOs midterm report based on field data and experiences regarding Ghana’s human rights laws.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ghana has recently abolished the death penalty and witchcraft camps, criminalizing those who accuse others of witchcraft. However, these changes necessitate additional funding for implementation. The country is preparing for the upcoming fourth United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) meeting, a mechanism that reviews UN member states’ human rights records every four to five years.
During the opening of the workshop, Mrs. Mercy Larbi, the Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), emphasized Ghana’s commitment to human rights through the UPR process. She highlighted the role of CSOs in monitoring human rights and supporting the implementation of recommendations, serving as observers who hold authorities accountable and amplify marginalized voices.
The UPR midterm review process, according to Mrs. Larbi, is essential for strengthening accountability and ensuring international human rights commitments lead to real improvements in Ghanaians’ lives. She encouraged stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and contribute to shaping Ghana’s human rights journey.
Mr. Felix Logah from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, reiterated the importance of the UPR for enhancing accountability and human rights protection. He assured the Ministry’s commitment to working with CSOs to promote human rights and sustainable development.
Mr. Jonathan Osei-Owusu, Executive Director of POS Foundation, noted that Ghana has undergone four UPR cycles, receiving 298 recommendations and accepting 265. These recommendations focus on areas such as women and children’s rights, access to justice, and climate change.
Ms. Patience Ampomah of Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana urged stakeholders to prioritize sexual and reproductive health rights, particularly for women and girls. The meeting, organized by POS Foundation with PPAG and the United Nations Population Fund, was themed ‘Advancing Human Rights in Ghana: A Joint Civil Society Midterm Review to Bridge Advocacy and Strengthen Accountability under the UN UPR Mechanism.’
Ghana’s fourth review under the UN Universal Periodic Review mechanism took place in January 2023 during the 42nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council.