By: Hannah Dadzie
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has commended Ghana for strides made in advancing human rights, while urging urgent reforms to address systemic challenges.
Led by Commissioner responsible for the promotion of human rights in Ghana, and Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, the delegation concluded a four-day Promotion Mission to Ghana, which ran from September 29 to October 2, 2025.
The delegation held high-level consultation with government officials, parliament, civil society organisations, development partners, and the United Nations Country Team to assess Ghana’s human rights situation. It commended Ghana for what it described as “progressive and pioneering” human rights legislation, as well as bold reforms in the justice sector, but cautioned that systemic challenges undermine these gains.
The Mission, undertaken at the invitation of the Government of Ghana, sought to promote the African Charter and other regional instruments, strengthen collaboration, and engage in dialogue on legislative and policy implementation.
The delegation included five Commissioners: the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Commissioner Sallah-Njie, Chairperson of the Committee on the Prevention of Torture in Africa, Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, Chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations; Commissioner Solomon Ayele Dersso, Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa; Commissioner Maria Teresa Manuela, and Chairperson of the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga.
During consultations with government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Speaker of Parliament, the Commission praised Ghana’s reforms such as the Plea-Bargaining Act, Supreme Court rulings to reduce pre-trial detention, and rehabilitation programmes at Nsawam Prison. The delegation also highlighted the Right to Information Act, Mental Health and Disability Acts, and other progressive laws as benchmarks in the region.
However, the Mission identified critical gaps, including a 24-year delay in Ghana’s submission of State Reports under the African Charter, the non-ratification of key regional protocols, and the failure to deposit the Article 34(6) declaration that would allow citizens direct access to the African Court.
“We believe that the commitment that has been made will be fulfilled and the member state, Ghana, will redeem itself in terms of the shortcomings,” Commissioner Sallah-Njie said, confirming a “firm commitment” from the government to submit all overdue reports before the end of 2025.
The Commission monitors this progress through the submission of these periodic reports and follow-up engagements, noting that progressive implementation, rather than overnight solutions, is the expected benchmark for human rights improve
On illegal mining, the ACHPR said the widespread contamination of water bodies, destruction of farmland, and alarming school dropout rates linked to galamsey constitute a national crisis, entrenched by the complicity of political actors and compromised security forces. The Commission urged the Government to consider declaring galamsey-affected areas as security zones and initiate an independent probe into networks profiting from the practice.
Other challenges identified included prison overcrowding, the absence of standalone anti-torture legislation, and a lack of state-funded shelters for survivors of gender-based violence. The Commission also called for urgent action to end harmful cultural practices such as witchcraft accusations and the ritual servitude of the Trokosi system.
The Commission appealed to the Ghanaian media, calling them a “vital stakeholder” and another form of accountability mechanism.
“We ask you, as we leave Ghana, to take on board the commitments that have been made. And to keep reminding so that things don’t fall to the cracks again.” Commissioner Sallah-Njie said
The delegation thanked the Government of Ghana for its hospitality and commitment to dialogue, noting that a comprehensive report with detailed recommendations will be submitted to the African Commission for adoption and later transmitted to the government.
