Human rights group satisfied with Ghana's performance

Accra, Sept. 5, 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. 05 Sept. 08