Human rights group satisfied with Ghana’s performance
Accra, Sept. 5, Ghanadot/GNA- The African Commission on Human and
Peoples Rights (ACHPR) on Friday expressed satisfaction with
the desire of government and stakeholders to enhance the
protection and promotion of human rights in the country.
The Commission however, said it would be premature for it to
make any pronouncement but stated that the delegation had
open and frank discussion with all the major stakeholders it
met.
Mr. Musa Ngary Bitaye, Commissioner and leader of the ACHPR
Promotional Mission to Ghana was speaking at a press
conference in Accra after a five-day mission tour of the
country.
The purpose of the mission was to engage government on
constructive dialogue on its human rights obligations under
the African Charter and to build a foundation for continued
cooperation to work toward the promotion and enhancement of
human rights in the country.
Mr. Ngary Bitaye said the Commission was going to prepare a
report which would be presented to the ACHPR with
appropriate recommendation on what is to be done to enhance
the enjoyment of human rights in Ghana.
He said after the adoption of the report by the Commission,
it would be communicated to the government of Ghana for its
comments.
He expressed the hope that the recommendations that would
emanate from the commission’s mission would go a long way to
assist the government and the people dealing with the
situation of human rights in Ghana.
Mr. Ngary Bitaye also said during the tour, the delegation
met with government officials, including the Ministers of
Foreign Affairs, Justice, Health, Women and children’s
Affairs, the Chief Justice, NGO’s and other human rights
institutions.
He said the group discussed a wide range of issues with
different stakeholders among which are the functioning and
the independence of the Commission for Human Right and
Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the domestication of
international human rights instruments, submission of
Ghana’s periodic report, the issue of the death penalty, and
the independence of the judiciary.
“I was particularly impressed by the broad powers given to
CHRAJ and the enormous work it has done in the promotion and
protection of human rights in Ghana”, he added.
Mr Ngary Bitaye further stated that, the delegation was
impressed with the initiatives being taken to enhance the
rights of persons incarcerated, in particular, the fenceless
and inhuman conditions under which juveniles at the senior
correctional centre were held, adding that, the “Justice for
all programme” was a very good initiative and encouraged all
the stakeholders to support it.
GNA
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