Day: October 18, 2023

The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, from November 20 to November 22, 2023, will mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). The anniversary would be commemorated on the fringes of the Sixth African Judicial Dialogue in Algeria on the general theme ‘Advancing Justice and Human Rights in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Integrating Regional and International Human Rights Jurisprudence in Domestic Courts’. In commemoration of this milestone, Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, President of the African Court, said the dialogue would also dedicate a half-day to discuss the contributions and achievements of the Protocol to the protection of the rights of women in Africa. ‘This will, inter alia, examine the jurisprudence developed by AU human rights bodies on the protection of the rights of women, reflecting on how this can be integrated in domestic legal systems,’ she stated. The judicial dialogue seeks to provide a platform for judges of national and regional courts and other stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities related to integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence into domestic courts in Africa. Lady Justice Aboud stressed, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, that concurrently, in collaboration with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights-East African Regional Office, an additional half-day symposium will be organised as an integral part of the dialogue. This would provide a platform for African judges to exchange experiences and share valuable lessons derived from regional and international jurisprudence and the dissemination of best practices relating to the justiciability of economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the right to development, she noted. Lady Justice Aboud explained that the Sixth Judicial Dialogue also aimed to provide a platform for judges of national and regional courts and other stakeholders to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities related to integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence into domestic courts in Africa. The Lady Justice said: ‘It offers a platform for exploring, discussing, and analysing the trajectory of the Maputo Protocol and the evolving human rights jurisprudence concerning women’s rights within the African human rights system. ‘The critical importance of creating awareness among Chief Justices about the seamless integration of this jurisprudence into their respective domestic legal frameworks.’ She said the dialogue would promote awareness and understanding among participants regarding the relevance, importance, and potential benefits of integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence in domestic courts. The African Court President said the dialogue would also provide an opportunity for participants to enhance their capacity and skills in applying regional and international human rights standards in domestic court proceedings, including issues of jurisdiction, interpretation, and implementation. Other issues to be discussed during the dialogue include identifying and addressing challenges faced by domestic courts in integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence and exploring potential solutions and best practices to overcome these challenges. To foster collaboration and cooperation among regional and domestic courts, legal practitioners, and stakeholders in promoting human rights and justice in Africa, including sharing experiences, expertise, and resources. According to the African Court, the dialogue would revolve around the role and significance of regional and international human rights jurisprudence in promoting justice and human rights in Africa and the challenges faced by domestic courts in integrating regional and international human rights jurisprudence. Best practices and innovative approaches in applying regional and international human rights standards in domestic court proceedings; and strengthening cooperation and collaboration between regional and domestic courts to enhance human rights protection. The rest include areas of capacity building and professional development for judges and legal practitioners to enable them to apply international human rights jurisprudence.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Former President John Dramani Mahama, flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the Government to declare a state of emergency in support of the Volta River flood victims. In a statement, the former President said: ‘It is clear that the scope and scale of the flooding of communities along the Volta River is bigger than our crippled economy can bear. ‘I recommend to Government to declare a State of Emergency in the affected areas and request relief assistance from our bilateral and multilateral partners immediately.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr Adotey Collins Yeboah, a 24-year-old pupil teacher at Open Heaven Grace Academy at Mepe in the Central Tongu District of the Volta Region is undertaking free tuition for some students. The move, according to the JHS Three Mathematics Teacher, was to maintain the intellect and mental state of the students, who were hard-hit by the floods. Mr Adotey, in an engagement with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Wednesday, October 18 at the St Kizito Senior High School, a centre earmarked to host some affected victims in the area, said he equally lost all valuables to the floods. He said the disturbing situation had compelled him to initiate measures to engage the affected students, who are camping at the base. ‘I am teaching them Mathematics for now because we have nowhere to go. I have lost virtually everything in the floods because of the Akosombo Dam spillage.’ Mr Adotey however, reiterated his full commitment to engage more students who are seeking refuge at the centers. ‘These are JHS three students for now. Let’s see how things will unfold,’ he added. Mr Ahorsu Borlor Amos, the Assembly member for Mepe, told the GNA the affected residents, who were residing at the various safe havens needed more support ‘to make living a bit bearable for them.’ He lamented the slow pace of assistance from donors and other well wishes. Mr Ahorsu, however, expressed optimism that more philanthropic activities would be extended to the area soon. Some affected victims, in an interaction with the GNA, complained of inadequate foodstuffs, water, proper place of convenience and other things. All affected schools and some churches, including the New Covenant Apostolic Church in the area, have been submerged since the flood disaster, which they said had brought severe hardship to them. Several individuals, organisations and government officials including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, have since visited the affected areas to assess the situation.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Mr. Kwame Afram Denkyira, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions Programmes Manager of ActionAid Ghana (AAG), a non-governmental organization, has advocated the provision of the appropriate infrastructure to promote safe spaces for girls’ education. According to him, AAG had been providing model school facilities in various communities across the country, including changing rooms for girls, saying this initiative was part of a larger advocacy effort to improve learning outcomes in public basic education. He explained that those facilities served as models for girls’ schools, demonstrating how basic education facilities should be designed and implemented. Mr. Denkyira made the call when he was speaking at a forum organised by the AAG to commemorate this year’s International Girl Child Day in Sunyani. On the theme ‘Model Girls Schools: Promoting Safe Spaces for Girls’ Education and Leadership,’ the forum brought together students, education officers, parents, guardians and girl advocates from the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regions. Mr. Denkyira highlighted the challenges faced by girls in Ghana, saying that had informed the AAG’s advocacy for prioritizing girls’ education in development planning and implementation. He mentioned the AAG had constructed two model girls’ schools with water facilities in the Bono and Ahafo Regions since the past five years, saying those interventions had significantly reduced the difficulties girls faced during their menstrual periods when at school. Mr. Denkyira emphasized AAG had been supporting girls’ empowerment and advocacy platforms, such as girls’ clubs at both school and district levels. He observed women and girls in Ghana continued to experience economic and political marginalisation, despite constituting most of the population at 59.7 per cent according to the Ghana Statistical Service 2021 report because 60 per cent of the public sector employees are males. Dr. Gilbert Mensah, the acting Director of Information Technology at the University of Energy and Natural Resources emphasised the need for parents’ understanding of the internet space to guide and protect their children, particularly young girls from their associated negative effects. Jennifer Darkoaa, a student at Sunyani Senior High School and a member of the Young Female Platform (YFP), shared her perspective on the challenges faced by girls and young women which hindered their progress in realizing their full potentials. She expressed gratitude for the forum’s assistance in increasing her knowledge on internet safety, fostering partnerships with other girls and young women, and advocating better conditions that promote decent work, leadership, and a safe environment for all, especially women and girls.

Source: Ghana News Agency