Realisation of social rights difficult - Professor Dankwa

Accra (Greater Accra), 19th April 

 Professor Victor Dankwa, of the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana on Saturday, said delays in the administration of justice and lack of co-operation from law enforcement agencies and the judiciary make the realisation of economic and social rights difficult. He said corrupt and incompetent judiciary, expensive litigation, procedural difficulties and lack of legal aid for the poor also constitute challenges to the enjoyment of such rights.

Professor Dankwa, who is also a member of the Governing Council of Africa Legal Aid, was speaking at the closing of a weeklong international workshop on litigating economic and social rights in Africa in Accra. He said political and civil rights are given more attention the world over, at the expense of social and economic rights adding that certain legislative and constitutional structures do not make for easy realisation of the various forms of rights.

Professor Dankwa recommended for the adaptation and the use of appropriate methodologies towards removal of some of the difficulties encountered in the fight against social and economic injustices. He noted that most African governments are signatories to international conventions and treaties governing social and economic rights.

Dr Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Legal Counsel, World Intellectual Property Organisation, Switzerland in summing up the workshop deliberations, said more would be done to eliminate injustice against women and children.