Journalists key to enforcing regional human rights decisions in Ghana — African Court Coalition

The African Court Coalition (ACC) has disclosed that a vibrant, informed, and independent media is indispensable to democratic governance and the enforcement of regional human rights decisions.

The African Court Coalition has, therefore, announced a strategic intervention to equip Ghanaian journalists to hold public institutions accountable for fulfilling their constitutional and international obligations.

For the past several years, the African Court Coalition (ACC), together with its Ghana National Focal Point, has been engaging state institutions and stakeholders to advocate for legislative reforms that would facilitate domestic implementation of regional human rights decisions, particularly those of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.

Ms Sophia Ebby, ACC Coordinator, in an interview, argues that effective reporting on human rights and justice issues enables citizens to better understand their rights, strengthens public confidence in democratic institutions, and fosters transparency and accountability.

"Journalists play a critical role in informing citizens about legal and governance issues, shaping public discourse, and holding public institutions accountable for the protection of human rights," Ms Ebby stated.

Under the theme "Enhancing Public Awareness on the Implementation of Decisions of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights," the planned One-Day Media Capacity Building Workshop will focus on the proposed amendment to Part V of the Courts Act, 1993 (Act 459)—what it means for justice, law, and human rights protection.

The proposed amendment seeks to expressly provide for recognition and enforcement of decisions from regional human rights courts, including decisions of the African Court, closing a critical legal gap that currently undermines accountability.

To address this, the ACC is organizing a “Two-Day Media Capacity Building Workshop on Reporting the Implementation of Decisions of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.”

The two-day workshop agenda for October 8th and 9th includes sessions on: Overview and Jurisdiction of the African Court; Why Implementation of Decisions Matters: The contribution of regional human rights decisions to democracy, rule of law, accountability, and citizens; Ghana's current legal framework for implementation—existing gaps and need for legislative reform; and Reporting Regional Human Rights Decisions: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices for Journalists.

According to the programme outline, day one of the workshop would be for media practitioners, and the second day for staff of the AG’s Drafting and Litigation Department, and representatives from CHRAJ.

The workshop seeks to enhance the capacity of journalists and media practitioners in Ghana to accurately report on regional human rights mechanisms, particularly the African Court, and to increase public awareness of the importance of implementing their decisions.

Resource persons will include representatives Justice Dennis Adjei, Judge of the African Court, and Mr Francis-Xavier Sosu (MP), and legal experts on regional human rights law, Mr Francis Ameyibor, Executive Director, Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA CONSULT), and a member of the African Court Media Network.

Others are Mr Agbenu Doe, Managing Partner of Jasford Legal Consulting, who also doubles as the International Focal Point of the ACC for Ghana; and representatives of the African Court Coalition, and representatives of the African Court Coalition.

In the longer term, improved media coverage is expected to contribute to greater public appreciation of the role of the African Court, generate broader public support for legislative reforms that enhance accountability and reparations for victims of human rights violations, and support Ghana's continued leadership in fulfilling regional human rights obligations.

"Through this workshop, the African Court Coalition seeks to build a network of media practitioners who can accurately communicate the significance of regional human rights mechanisms and their relevance to Ghana," Ms Ebby stated.