Enhancing Human Rights: Ghana can make giant strides if…

By Daniel Teye Botchway

Introduction

HUMAN rights are the foundation of a just and equitable society, ensuring that individuals live with dignity and freedom. In Ghana, the protection and promotion of human rights are enshrined in the Constitution, yet the coexistence of entrenched cultural practices, economic limitations, and political structures often complicates the full realization of these rights.

A more holistic approach including one that integrates social, political, and economic initiatives can better enhance the human rights landscape. By leveraging these pillars, Ghana has the potential to significantly improve the lives and livelihoods of its citizens, particularly those whose rights are most at risk.

This article explores how Ghana’s social, political, and economic ecosystem can be optimized to enhance human rights, using facts, figures, and data to highlight areas of progress and the work that remains.

Ghana’s Social Ecosystem: Transforming Cultural Norms for Better Livelihoods

In Ghana, the social ecosystem plays a critical role in shaping attitudes toward human rights. While some cultural practices have enriched the country’s heritage, others like child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and child labor directly conflict with universal human rights principles. According to the 2021 Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) report, 19% of girls are married before the age of 18, often due to economic pressures and cultural norms. Similarly, UNICEF reported in 2020 that 3.8% of Ghanaian women aged 15-49 have undergone FGM, predominantly in the northern regions.

To address these practices, Ghana’s social ecosystem must continue evolving to prioritize education and public awareness, particularly in communities where harmful traditions still thrive. Increased investment in education and grassroots awareness campaigns, such as those led by NGOs like ActionAid, have shown success in reducing FGM.

In areas where public engagement has been strong, the prevalence of FGM has decreased by up to 50%. Empowering local leaders to take ownership of human rights issues through dialogue can bridge the gap between traditional values and modern rights frameworks.

Additionally, increasing access to education for girls and women remains vital. The Ghanaian government’s Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, implemented in 2017, has led to an 11.6% increase in female enrollment. Such policies directly improve the lives of young women by offering them alternative opportunities to early marriage, empowering them to pursue livelihoods that can lift them and their families out of poverty.

Political Will and Governance: Protecting Rights Through Policy

The Ghanaian political ecosystem is crucial in shaping the trajectory of human rights. Effective governance and a commitment to human rights can create an environment where people thrive socially and economically.

The government has made significant strides in addressing human rights issues, notably through institutions like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). In 2022, the government allocated GHS 70 million ($12 million) to CHRAJ to support human rights education and law enforcement.

However, this represents just a fraction of Ghana’s GDP, highlighting the need for greater political prioritization of human rights issues.

One critical area where political intervention can make a lasting impact is gender equality. Despite legislative efforts, women in Ghana remain underrepresented in both the political and economic spheres.

In the 2020 elections, women made up just 14.5% of the parliament, a figure that demonstrates the need for increased political participation among women. Implementing affirmative action policies, such as quotas for women in political office, would not only enhance governance but also strengthen the protection of women’s rights.

Additionally, the creation of stronger legal frameworks to combat child labor and human trafficking could further solidify Ghana’s standing as a leader in human rights protection in Africa.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has noted that eliminating child labor could lead to a 5-7% increase in economic productivity, as children freed from labor would have the opportunity to pursue education and skilled employment later in life.

Economic Initiatives: Bridging the Gap Between Poverty and Human Rights

The Ghanaian economy plays a central role in advancing human rights, particularly when it comes to improving livelihoods. Poverty is both a cause and consequence of human rights violations, including child labor, trafficking, and poor access to healthcare and education. As of 2021, 23.4% of Ghana’s population lived below the poverty line, making it challenging for families to prioritize human rights when economic survival is at stake.

The government’s social protection programs, such as the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative, have been vital in reducing poverty rates and improving access to healthcare and education.

LEAP, which provides cash transfers to vulnerable households, has reached 213,000 households as of 2020, offering a lifeline to families who otherwise might send their children to work. Expanding such initiatives could have a profound impact on reducing child labor, which the GSS reports affects 21% of Ghanaian children aged 5-17.

Beyond social protection programs, Ghana’s commitment to industrialization and job creation through initiatives like the One District, One Factory (1D1F) policy also has significant potential to advance human rights.

By creating jobs in rural and peri-urban areas, 1D1F helps reduce poverty, offering young people and their families’ opportunities to break the cycle of economic deprivation that often leads to human rights violations. According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, over 140 factories have been established or are under construction under the 1D1F initiative, creating over 20,000 direct jobs.

Moreover, addressing Ghana’s youth unemployment crisis is critical. The World Bank estimates that Ghana’s youth unemployment rate stands at 19.7%, one of the highest in West Africa.

Youth employment programs, coupled with skills training, could dramatically improve livelihoods while ensuring that young people are not forced into exploitative labor or dangerous migration routes in search of work.

For example, the government’s National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP) has funded over 1,350 start-ups since its launch in 2017, providing young entrepreneurs with the capital and training needed to create sustainable livelihoods.

Enhancing Human Rights Through a Holistic Approach

The intersection of human rights and Ghana’s socio-political and economic ecosystems reveals that enhancing human rights is not just a legal or cultural issue; it is also a matter of economic development and political will.

When human rights are fully realized, individuals can contribute more meaningfully to society and the economy, which in turn promotes national growth. Policies that protect and empower vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities are not only moral imperatives but also economic necessities.

Human rights-focused governance can drive the kind of inclusive economic development that leaves no one behind. For instance, the World Bank estimates that eliminating gender-based barriers to employment could increase Ghana’s GDP by 5-8%, further lifting millions of people out of poverty and reinforcing human rights protections.

The financial implications of neglecting human rights are immense. The ILO estimates that sub-Saharan Africa loses about $50 billion annually due to child labor alone. In Ghana, the continued presence of child labor, FGM, and gender-based violence not only compromises human dignity but also stifles economic growth.

By investing in policies that bridge the gap between human rights and economic opportunities, Ghana could unlock the full potential of its citizens and create a more just and prosperous society.

Conclusion

Ghana’s journey toward fully realizing human rights, in harmony with its cultural heritage, is one of progress and ongoing challenges. The social, political, and economic ecosystems in Ghana are interconnected and pivotal to enhancing human rights and improving livelihoods.

While strides have been made in education, legal reform, and economic initiatives, more targeted investments are necessary to ensure that vulnerable groups are protected, and cultural norms evolve toward universal human rights standards.

The Ghanaian government, civil society, and international partners must continue to work together to create an environment where human rights are not only respected but are the foundation of national development. By aligning political will, economic growth, and cultural change, Ghana can continue to lead Africa in the fight for human dignity and create a prosperous, rights-respecting future for all its citizens.

– Daniel Teye Botchway
Human Rights and Cultural Consultant