Speech

Statement at a Workshop for CSOs for the Review, Validation & Submission of Shadow Reports under Ghana’s UN UPR 4th Cycle Review

12 July 2022

The UNRC ai addressed a CSO-led workshop on the UN Universal Periodic Review, reiterating the responsibility of States to safeguard the human rights of all.

  • On behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Charles Abani, and the UN Country Team in Ghana, I would like to thank the POS Foundation, Convenor of the Ghana’s Civil Society Platform, and other partners, for inviting us to join this important event, as part of the Universal Periodic Review on Human Rights.
  • The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a peer review mechanism under the UN Human Rights Council. It seeks to improve the human rights situation in all UN Member States by periodically assessing their human rights records and addressing human rights violations wherever they occur.
  • We congratulate the POS Foundation, CSOs, the CHRAJ and all institutions and individuals for your commitment and relentless efforts in lobbying, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on human rights, holding the government, as primary duty bearer, accountable.
  • We also commend the Government of Ghana for its efforts to collect quality data and create an enabling environment for several reviews currently taking place. There are clear synergies between the on-going Voluntary National Review on the SDGs and the UPR on Human Rights.
  • As we speak, during the High-Level Political Forum in New York, the VNR is focusing on “Building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” As we know, countries can only achieve this if they uphold human rights and leave no one behind.
  • Ghana’s UPR third cycle produced 241 recommendations. For the fourth cycle, the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF) has been coordinating national consultations through the Solicitor’s General’s Office within the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General. The Ghana’s civil society organization reports are convened through the POS Foundation.
  • In addition to the National Report, the CHRAJ report and civil society Reports, the United Nations are also contributing inputs. The Human Rights Council and Member States will consider all these in formulating the recommendations.
  • In Ghana, significant progress has been made in promoting human rights, inclusion and equality for all. Ghana has taken important initiatives such as the passage of the Right to Information Act (2019).
  • While there has been progress, much more needs to be done. For example, as Professor Manuh mentioned, Ghana was the first country in the world to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child. However, the country is yet to ratify the CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of children, Child prostitution and Child pornography. This is important to strengthen the legal framework and systems to protect children from exploitation, trafficking, sexual abuse and other human rights violations, which have serious negative consequences on children’s lives in Ghana.  And enforcement also matters.
  • In addition, Ghana has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 2000, but it has yet to ratify its Second Optional Protocol aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
  • Ghana is also encouraged to intensify efforts to end all forms of gender-based violence against women and children, and harmful practices such as child marriage.
  • Moreover, it is recommended to ensure the alignment of several existing laws with international conventions that the country acceded to, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We also encourage the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill. As mentioned by many speakers, implementation is also crucial. 
  • According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, States are legally required to safeguard the human rights of everyone, without discrimination. The rights of LGBTQI are human rights. We welcome the on-going dialogue in Ghana and trust that the country will make the right decision, in the best interest of all its citizens.
  • Finally, we would like to note that, according to the 2022 World Press Freedom Index, Ghana has dropped 30 places, ranking now 60th (from 30th a year before). This decline suggests that Ghana needs to look again at the commitment to freedom of speech, which is embedded in the notion of human rights as per Ghana’s Constitution and global commitments and for which Ghana has had such a strong and positive reputation.
  • As mentioned, the UN is currently compiling inputs into the UPR, which, we hope, will serve as a useful reference point, in addition to the crucial CSO reports as Ghana seeks to build on its record and stay strong on the Continent in relation to human rights.
  • Indeed, we commend the POS Foundation, as the Civil Society convener, for the excellent work they have done so far in coordinating this important process. This will enable participants to preview the contents of the thematic reports and check the relevant information for validation and submission. We welcome the constructive and solution-focused approach to this engagement and are confident that the outcome of this exercise will be positive.
  • On behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team, I congratulate again CSOs, the Government of Ghana and institutions for the continuous collaboration and engagement for the overall protection of human rights, with a commitment to leave no one behind. This is a foundation for achieving the SDGs and Ghana’s national development objectives.
  • The UNCT continues to engage with all actors to explore ways it can support government-led efforts to review Ghana’s human rights obligations, meet its international and regional commitments, and uphold its constitution. The final UPR recommendations will guide Ghana in achieving its ambition to ensure equality for all persons as it is inherent in its national motto: Freedom & Justice. 
  • Thank you.

 

 

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