It has been revealed that the use of torture and ill-treatment still occurs with some level of frequency during the apprehension, arrest and interrogation stages by the police and intelligence services in the country.
Not only is this practice an abuse of human rights but casts a snare of the systems and institutions responsible for the protection of these rights.
These were revealed by a special rapporteur for the United Nations (UN), Mr Juan E. Mendez, at a press briefing to discuss findings on his second visit to the country on the issue of the use of torture and other cruel treatment in the country.
Speaking on whether Ghana had implemented earlier recommendations made during his first visit in 2013, Mr Mendez stated that the government must step up its efforts to implement recommendations, though some strides have been chalked.
Mr Mendez, who is an independent expert tasked by the UN Human Rights Council with monitoring and reporting on the use of torture and other degrading treatment around the world, has revealed that in Ghana torture is still rife in some sectors.
According to him, there are worrying reports of forced confessions despite the existence of legal guarantees intended to protect persons upon arrest and in police custody.
“Of particular concern is the lacking sense of due diligence and urgency by oversight mechanisms such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, as well as courts and prosecutors to tackle this issue with prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of mistreatment,” he said.
He noted that until action is taken against such practices, it will still be employed in eliciting information from suspects.
Mr Mendez noted that the right to counsel needs to be made truly effective in all criminal cases by the expansion and effective implementation of the Legal Aid Scheme or the establishment of a Public Defenders’ Office.
“I am encouraged by the projects and measures being implemented by the government; in particular, the ‘Justice for All programme’ with its travelling court has been able to partially clear up the backlog of remand cases in various regions,” he held.
He was elated that a pilot project was underway to speed up appeals there by reducing inmates are the Nsawam Medium Security Prison through the establishment of a high court on the premises.
Touching on mental healthcare, Mr Mendez said little had been done in that area since current practices are similar to those observed during his last visit.
“Progress is being made in the implementation of the Mental Health Act and associated programmes established by its managing Mental Health Authority,” he said.
The special rapporteur opined that private institutions treating mentally ill patients, such as prayer camps, must also be regulated and monitored by these programmes.
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