“Rights for All” - International Day of Zero Discrimination observed in Accra.

The multi-sectoral stakeholder dialogue was held with key partners including the Ministry of Justice and Office of the Attorney General, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, and Ghana AIDS Commission, among others to further advance the national commitment to eliminate all forms of stigma and discrimination and foster inclusivity, as in line with the UN Cooperation Framework and principle of Leave No One Behind. This event climaxes the ten-day-long social media campaign on the same theme.

Delivering the keynote address, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani reiterated the basic right of all humans was to life, existence, respect, and continuity devoid of any form of discrimination and that nobody should be excluded from this. “We are committed here at the UN to support Ghana to ensure that each citizen can live free from violence, stigma and discrimination, in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development” he echoed.

The Commissioner for Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Mr. Joseph Whittal highlighted that although all humans are born free and equal as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights people still suffered discrimination. “The vast majority of our society… are stigmatized, discriminated against and abused… global patterns and prevalence of stigma and discrimination suggest that this is a widespread endemic global problem, and Ghana is no exception.”

 Additionally, the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Mr. Kyereme Atuahhene stressed on how HIV stigma affected every form of human existence from basic needs to healthcare. “HIV-related stigma and discrimination undermine life-saving treatment protocols and the likelihood of use of health services throughout the country. Stigma and discrimination towards new HIV infections tend to make some communities operate underground and prevent them from accessing human health services” he stated. He reiterated how “persons affected and infected by HIV continue to suffer various points of discrimination such as eviction from family homes or rented houses denial of employment denial of property denial of maintenance for their children denial of education denial of food denial of public spaces, denial of health services, violation of rights and physical abuse, divorce, and separation, including sexual harassment”.

The event also served as an occasion to launch the Global Partnership (GP) for Action to Eliminate all forms of stigma which Ghana joined in December 2023