Ghana’s Parliament has reaffirmed its strong commitment to advancing human rights and upholding international obligations through robust engagement with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin highlighted the legislature’s critical role in protecting rights and monitoring executive compliance, particularly in the implementation of key UPR recommendations accepted by the state.
Speaking during a courtesy call from a delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), led by its Senior Program Officer for Governance, Mr. Akiyo Miguel Afouda, the Speaker underscored that Parliament’s unique functions—legislative, oversight, and budgetary—position it as an essential institution in the country’s human rights framework.
He stressed that through these functions, Parliament has been central to the national effort to protect individual freedoms and ensure Ghana fulfils its international human rights obligations.
“Ghana’s Parliament has already acted on several key UPR recommendations supported by the state, including the abolition of the death penalty and the passage of the long-awaited Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Bill”.
Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin
These legislative milestones, he noted, reflect the country’s evolving commitment to gender justice and humane treatment within the criminal justice system.
He further stated that Ghana has made notable progress in addressing pressing human rights concerns such as the improvement of prison conditions, the advancement of gender rights, the incorporation of environmental rights into the legal framework, and the ongoing harmonisation of domestic laws with international human rights instruments.
These efforts, he said, are a testament to Parliament’s resolve to be not just a legislative chamber but a proactive advocate for the rights and dignity of all Ghanaians.
Partnership for Implementation
In line with this objective, the Speaker highlighted Parliament’s partnership with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in implementing the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Through its active involvement in the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-Up, Parliament has been instrumental in ensuring that government reporting on human rights obligations is transparent, inclusive, and aligned with international standards.
Parliament, he continued, has also stepped up its collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union and civil society organisations (CSOs) focused on human rights.
These partnerships, according to the Speaker, are crucial for deepening human rights education, broadening participation in policymaking, and holding the executive to account for its human rights commitments.
Reaffirming Parliament’s stance, Speaker Bagbin assured the visiting delegation that Parliament would continue to expand and strengthen its oversight and accountability functions in order to safeguard the rights and liberties of every Ghanaian.
He noted that these efforts are part of a broader institutional commitment to embedding human rights in governance, both at the national and international levels.
Parliament’s consistent participation in sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC) and its active engagement with the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-Up, he said, serve as further proof of this dedication.
The IPU delegation’s visit was part of an ongoing initiative to support the promotion of human and children’s rights in Ghana and the wider West African sub-region.
IPU’s Commitment
Mr. Akiyo Miguel Afouda, the IPU’s Senior Program Officer for Governance, expressed appreciation for the Speaker’s availability and consistent engagement with human rights matters.
He noted that their initial engagement with Ghana’s Parliament in March 2025 was to celebrate the IPU’s achievements and establish deeper collaboration with national legislatures.
During his remarks, Mr. Afouda announced that a workshop had been scheduled to build the capacity of members of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee.
The workshop, he said, aims to strengthen lawmakers’ understanding of international human rights instruments and the UPR process, and to equip them with the necessary tools to effectively monitor and advocate for the implementation of human rights obligations.
Mr. Afouda emphasized the IPU’s continued interest in working with Ghana’s Parliament to enhance legislative responsiveness to human rights issues and foster inclusive governance practices.
He further acknowledged Ghana’s leadership within the sub-region in implementing human rights reforms and commended Parliament for its proactive engagement with international institutions and mechanisms.
The meeting between the Speaker and the IPU delegation affirms the deepening relationship between national parliaments and international governance institutions in the shared pursuit of human rights, accountability, and social justice.
With Parliament at the forefront of Ghana’s legislative and policy transformation, stakeholders remain hopeful that the country will continue to set a progressive standard for democratic governance and human rights promotion in Africa.
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