Amnesty International on Tuesday urged Ghana’s newly sworn-in president, John Mahama, to prioritize human rights. The organization emphasized the importance of tackling gender disparity, safeguarding women’s rights, maintaining the right to peaceful assembly, and guaranteeing a healthy environment for every citizen.
Genevieve Partington, country director of Amnesty International Ghana, stated, “Now is the right time for the President and his government to make a clear commitment to prioritize and tackle these pressing human rights issues.”
The involvement of women in Ghana’s politics is still restricted, even with legislative initiatives to correct this. In 2024, women made up under 15 percent of the 275-member legislature. The Affirmative Action Act, passed in September, seeks to raise women’s involvement in different sectors to a minimum of 30 percent by 2026 and 50 percent by 2030. The appointment of Vice-President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang represents an important milestone. Amnesty International called on the new administration to enact policies that guarantee women’s equal involvement in shaping government policies and holding public office positions.
In areas like the Northern and Northeast regions, older women are often the focus of witchcraft accusations, resulting in discrimination, violence and displacement. Numerous victims are compelled to find shelter in camps after escaping their neighborhoods. This despite the fact that parliament approved the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Bill in July 2023 to make witchcraft accusations illegal. The bill prohibits the practice of accusing others of witchcraft, and sees to address the persecution of those labeled witches. However, the bill has not yet been enacted as law.
Amnesty International urged the implementation of legislation that specifically tackles these allegations and ritual assaults, as well as a national plan to inform the public about their harmful effects on human rights.
The right to peaceful assembly in Ghana is constantly infringed upon. For example, in July, officials banned a scheduled demonstration in Accra, heightening worries about the stifling of opposition. Amnesty International suggested revising the Public Order Act to secure individuals’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression and ensure that freedoms are upheld and safeguarded.
The environmental impacts of illegal mining, known as Galamsey have been met with repression, highlighting the need for government action. Amnesty International urged the new government to address illegal mining activities and their environmental consequences, ensuring the protection of communities and their right to a healthy environment.
A recent demonstration to expose the devastating effects of illegal mining, organized by the Democracy Hub, a Ghanaian civil society organization led by Oliver Baker Vormawor, resulted in the arrest of around 39 protesters who were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful assembly, causing public disorder, and obstructing public officers in the performance of their duty.
As President Mahama begins his term, the international community and human rights organizations will closely monitor his administration’s actions toward fulfilling these human rights obligations.
