Human Rights Committee Chair Urges Parliament to Defend Rights of Vulnerable Ghanaians
Parliament Must Champion Human and Children’s Rights – Human Rights Committee Chair Urges MPs
The Chairman of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, Ernest Yaw Anim, has issued a passionate call for Ghana’s lawmakers to play a more proactive role in safeguarding human and children’s rights across the nation.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day national workshop themed “Promoting Human and Children’s Rights: What Role for the Ninth Parliament of Ghana?”, Mr. Anim emphasized that the event was not just another dialogue, but a “call to commitment, a moment of reflection, engagement, and decisive action.”
He lauded the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin, for his visionary leadership in establishing the Human Rights Committee. According to Mr. Anim, the move signals Parliament’s growing commitment to prioritizing human rights within the national governance framework.
“Our mandate is not merely a formal obligation; it is an active duty,” he stressed, urging MPs to move beyond legislation and become advocates for the voiceless.
Mr. Anim outlined the Committee’s core responsibilities, including legislative scrutiny, monitoring government compliance with human rights obligations, and engaging directly with civil society and vulnerable populations.
He highlighted recent initiatives such as visits to Nsawam Prison, engagements with the Ghana Prison Service to evaluate conditions for vulnerable inmates, and a fact-finding mission to The Gambia concerning the plight of stateless Ghanaians. These efforts, he noted, have led to collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop a national strategy addressing statelessness.
Looking ahead, Mr. Anim revealed plans for assessments of witch camps, mental health institutions, and refugee communities nationwide.
“We are the voice for the vulnerable — children at risk, young girls in forced marriages, victims of trafficking, detainees, and stateless persons,” he declared.
He also called on development partners and civil society organizations to deepen their collaboration with Parliament to enhance the protection and promotion of rights for all Ghanaians.
“Let us embrace our historic responsibility — to be Parliamentarians who protect, empower, and deliver justice and hope,” he concluded.
The workshop marks a critical step in positioning Parliament as a key actor in human rights advocacy, with renewed focus on empowering the marginalized and holding institutions accountable.
