The Chairman of Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, Ernest Yaw Anim, has issued a stirring call to action, urging Ghana’s lawmakers to take the lead in promoting and protecting human and children’s rights.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day national workshop under the theme “Promoting Human and Children’s Rights: What Role for the Ninth Parliament of Ghana?”, Mr. Anim described the gathering not as a mere dialogue, but “a call to commitment, a moment of reflection, engagement, and decisive action.”
He commended the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, for his “visionary leadership” in establishing the Committee, which he said signals Parliament’s determination to place human rights at the heart of national governance.
“Our mandate is not merely a formal obligation; it is an active duty,” he stressed.
Mr. Anim outlined the Committee’s responsibilities, including legislative scrutiny, oversight of government compliance, and direct engagement with civil society and vulnerable communities.
Highlighting the Committee’s recent work, he noted visits to Nsawam Prison to assess conditions, engagements with the Ghana Prison Service on the treatment of vulnerable detainees, and a study visit to The Gambia to investigate the plight of stateless Ghanaians.
“This has galvanised us to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to craft a national strategy to address statelessness,” he revealed.
He also disclosed upcoming plans to assess conditions in witch camps, mental health institutions, and refugee communities across the country.
Mr. Anim urged his fellow Members of Parliament to move beyond lawmaking and embrace their duty as advocates for the voiceless.
“We are the voice for the vulnerable — children at risk, young girls trapped in early marriages, victims of trafficking, detainees, and stateless persons,” he said.
He further called on development partners and civil society actors to continue their collaboration, concluding:
“Let us embrace our historic responsibility — to be Parliamentarians who protect, empower, and deliver justice and hope.”