Recent ratings of Ghana’s Human Rights credentials have been greeted with mixed reactions of accusations, defenses, denials among others.
The United States has been a major contributor to the democratic and economic development of Ghana. Central to this diplomatic relationship that exists between Ghana and the United States, are the promotion of democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms, and rule of law. It is trite knowledge that the essential elements of any civilized democracy include rule of law, separations of powers, checks and balances within and among the various organs and institutions of the state, and its citizens. Others include public participation in democratic governance, press freedom, a multiparty system, and, free and fair elections.
Over three decades within the African sub-region, Ghana continues to set a good pace as a model in the practice of democracy, fundamental human rights and freedoms, press freedom, rule of law, and peaceful transition of power. These achievements have made Ghana, a model of African democracy, based on her ability to manage various political and economic threats, uprisings, and coup d’état threats, which ravaged some African States with instability, among which are Ivory Coast, Mali, and Burkina Faso (sharing a border with Ghana).
The statement of the President, HE Nana Akufo-Addo, that “democracy has been good for us,” made during the 30th anniversary of the referendum approving the 1992 Constitution on the 28th of April, 2022, is founded on the above narrative of Ghana’s democratic credentials. To ensure that these democratic gains are improved, there must be room to accommodate divergent constructive criticisms from both national and international organizations.
That being the case the “Ghana 2021 Human Rights Report” by the United States should be viewed from a position of objectivity and self-introspection. Options are opened to cast all manner of interpretations and castigations, much to any school of interest.
Another also remains, which is taking a deep breath and reflection, seeing the report as a tool for a check and balance, from an independent party gauging the state of our democratic dispensation as a country. The report should provoke national discourse rather than spite, especially on our 30th Anniversary of constitutional democracy under the 1992 Constitution.
Notwithstanding the image that such a report would have on the nation, it is FOSDA’s candid recommendation that state actors should be mindful of such other reports coming from other Embassies, national and international organisations, not in a too distant future, which may vindicate or confirm, from whatever position one looks at the report.
Ghana may well also carry out country reports of nations where they have consulates, as a contribution to the advancement of their democratic dispensation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 Agenda, particularly goals, 16 and 17; which call for the guarantee of peace, justice, and strong institutions; and the building of partnerships respectively.
FOSDA, therefore, calls on government, state actors, and indeed all stakeholders, to use the “Ghana 2021 Human Rights Report” for objective and deep self-introspection devoid of verbal attacks on the authors, and such other authors and to initiate national discourse as we reflect on possible constitutional amendments.
Theodora W. Anti
Ag. Executive Director
Contact No. 0205336268
Email: Theodora@fosda.org