The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) Africa Office, joins Ghanaians and the international community to celebrate the International Human Rights Day on the theme “Our Rights, Our Freedoms Always”.
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10th December to commemorate the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This year’s theme which revolves around rights and freedoms -- freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear is also meant to highlight the two International Covenants on Human Rights: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights form the International Bill on Human Rights.
Developments in the country- political intolerance, fear and increased levels of poverty makes this year’s theme very timely and relevant to Ghana. Ghana since independence has fought and stood by the belief that every Ghanaian is equal and deserves the right to be heard. Freedom of speech is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.
On this day when the world is Celebrating the principles of “Rights and Freedom” which are also enshrined in our Constitution, CHRI will like to take the opportunity to remind Ghanaians in general and the Government in particular that we owe it to ourselves as a people work hard, build and strengthen institutions put in place to ensure that the people of Ghana fully enjoy these freedoms mentioned above
This is particularly important when we live in a country where many people are not even aware that these are rights and not privileges and that there is an obligation imposed on the state to make sure citizens realise these rights.
People can enjoy all these rights - freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear- always when they are empowered, have access to adequate information and access to justice when their rights are breached.
This is emphasised in the UN General Assembly’s declaration in 1946 which states that “Freedom of Information is a fundamental human right and is the touchstone for all freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated. An informed citizenry are more able to make use of the rights and freedoms owed them, develop and improve their lives.
As we celebrate this all important day CHRI urges all Ghanaian to reflect on the words of our own compatriot, Busummuru Kofi Annan, “The great democratising power of information has given us all the chance to effect change and alleviate poverty in ways we cannot even imagine today. Our task … is to make that change real for those in need, wherever they may be. With information on our side, with knowledge a potential for all, the path to poverty can be reversed”.
CHRI urges Ghanaians to uphold the two international covenants on human rights. We also urge government to ratify ALL the necessary laws in relation to the two covenants and ensure the enforcement of the existing ratified laws.
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