The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) Africa Office is calling on the Ghanaian government to take urgent action to protect its citizens from the negative impact of the worsening economic crisis. CHRI believes that the Ghanaian government must do more to ensure that basic human rights, such as the right to food and water, are not compromised as a result of the crisis. The organisation is also calling on the government to take steps to ensure that Ghanaians have access to essential services, such as healthcare and education.
The rights of the ordinary man must be safeguarded in all policies, with no one left behind, according to the Accra-based CHRI. All people are entitled to their human rights, and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone can enjoy them. This means that all policies must take into account the rights of all people, not just a privileged few. We cannot achieve a just and equitable society if we leave anyone behind.
The CHRI made the call in a statement issued in Accra to mark this year’s International Human Rights Day on December 10. The statement said that the CHRI was concerned about the human rights situation in the country and called on the government to take action to improve the situation. The CHRI called on the government to respect the rights of all people in the country and to ensure that they are able to enjoy their rights.
International Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10. This day is set aside by the global community to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly. This document is considered to be the most important human rights instrument and it 39;s a milestone in the history of human rights.
The statement went on to say that while it is important for governments to take measures to protect their citizens during economic hardship, they must not forget their responsibility to uphold basic human rights. The rights of all citizens must be respected, regardless of economic circumstance. Governments must make sure that their policies do not infringe upon the basic rights of any individual, and that all people are treated fairly and equally.
Although Ghana has made some progress in protecting the human rights of its citizens, there is still more work to be done. The current economic crisis threatens the full range of human rights, and it is up to the government to ensure that all citizens are able to enjoy these rights.
The pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and threatened the enjoyment of human rights by everyone, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday, calling on States to urgently address the needs of those most at risk.
In a statement, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet warned that the COVID-19 pandemic was having a “devastating impact” on the human rights of people around the world.
“It threatens not only economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to an adequate standard of living and the rights to health, housing, food, and education, but also civil and political rights, ” the statement added.
We find ourselves in a predicament in which more and more people are finding it difficult to even afford three square meals a day. This directly impacts on the dignity of a person, as they are not able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is a problem that is only going to get worse as time goes on, unless something is done to change the current situation.
As the world grapples with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are closing and unemployment rates are skyrocketing. In finding solutions to these problems, the Government must ensure that policies are human rights oriented. This means that the Government must put the needs of people first and ensure that everyone has access to basic necessities like food and shelter. The Africa Office used the day to remind the Government of Ghana of its obligations to Ghanaians to ensure that dignity and freedoms of people are protected.
It is essential that the Ghanaian government take measures to ensure that justice is available to all citizens. This is a fundamental human right that must be respected even in times of crisis. Access to justice is essential in order to uphold other civil and human rights. Without it, people are at risk of human rights violations with no recourse. The government must therefore ensure that justice is accessible to all Ghanaians.
Rather, by fully integrating human rights principles and standards into law and practice are governments able to respond to an economic downturn in a truly sustainable manner…” to buttress their argument.
“Let us, as Ghanaians and by extension Africans, hold hands and strive together to ensure that DIGNITY, FREEDOM and JUSTICE FOR ALL becomes a reality in Africa regardless of the economic turmoil”, the CHRI said.
The Africa Office of the CHRI also congratulated Civil Society Organisations and human rights activists who continue to work tirelessly to promote Human rights in our society.
This year’s theme-“Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All”, they believe is apt because of the global economic downturn they find themselves in.
The theme is also significant for African countries, especially those in the Commonwealth such as Ghana, South Africa and Zambia which are due for review in January next year at the 42nd session of the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on implementation of recommendations they accepted in 2012, many of which align with this year’s theme.
“It is an opportunity for the Government of Ghana to rethink and up its game in terms of complying with human rights obligations, particularly those related to economic and social rights. It also provides an opportunity to rethink governance and accountability both at the national and global level”.