UNFPA, three others commit to support national efforts

Mr Zia Choudhury, the United Nations Resident Coordinator has pledged the UN’s commitment towards providing technical and financial support to sustain national efforts.

This, he said, would be sustained through its Human Rights Sub-Group, under the leadership of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), among other institutions.

He said the institutions, involving the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and UNFPA, aimed to enhance institutional capacities and fulfilling international obligations.

The UN Resident Coordinator made the statement at a two-day high-level dialogue workshop with Members of Parliament (MPs) on strengthening governance, rule of law and accountability.

The MPs are on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Human Rights.

Mr Choudhury said the UN was working with the External Support Unit of Parliament to explore additional opportunities for technical, logistical, and financial assistance and to harmonise all the work of development partners.

“Our commitment extends beyond human rights to include strengthening transparency and accountability, advancing child rights, promoting peace and security, and supporting the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence in Parliament’s oversight role,” he said.

He acknowledged that Ghana had a proud record of democratic governance and commitment to human rights, enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and it had made tremendous efforts towards championing human rights in every dimension.

Mr Choudhury noted that although the country had done creditably in upholding freedom of expression, increasing access to education, healthcare and other social services, access to justice among others, there remained some challenges as highlighted in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of 2023.

He said Ghana received 298 recommendations, supported 265, including critical measures on equality, non‑discrimination, women and children’s rights, and protection of vulnerable groups.

“The task ahead is to ensure these commitments are fully implemented through laws, policies, budgets, and oversight that are inclusive and rights‑based,” he said.

Mr Choudhury stated that the role of Parliament in following up on the UPR recommendations was vital because of its legislative authority, fiscal oversight, and representative position members uniquely occupied to turn human rights aspirations into action.

He appealed to the Parliamentarians to expedite action on the passage of the Criminal Offence Amendment Act 2023, saying the ongoing victimisation of elderly women accused of witchcraft were unacceptable.

“We must take decisive steps to protect the lives and dignity of these women,” he emphasised.

Mr Ernest Yaw Anim, the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of Parliament, said “The UPR is not just a performance review, it is a call to action. A call for Parliament to translate these recommendations into real legislative, policy, and programmatic change.”

He said the workshop would renew their dedication to the principles of non-discrimination, inclusion, accountability, and transparency.

Dr Joseph Whittal, the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) said Parliaments globally, had been invited by UN Resolutions to be involved in the joint preparations of national reports such as the Universal Periodic Review, to be presented with the Executives at the Human Rights Council.

He said this practice commenced with the eighth Parliament and it should be encouraged and extended to other reporting obligations in Ghana.

Dr Whittal encouraged the Human Rights Committee of Parliament to be more concerned with all international and regional human rights reporting obligations of Ghana and not leave it to only the Executives.

Source: GNA