Parliament is working closely with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to implement Ghana’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has disclosed.
Speaking during a courtesy call by a delegation from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Speaker said the partnership with CHRAJ forms part of Parliament’s broader strategy to promote and protect human rights through lawmaking, oversight, and budget scrutiny.
According to Mr Bagbin, the collaboration is being carried out through Parliament’s active participation in the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-Up (NMRF), a state-led initiative to monitor the implementation of international human rights obligations.
He noted that the legislature’s role in enforcing Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations was vital, citing recent legislative reforms as evidence of progress.
“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,” Mr Bagbin stated.
The Speaker explained that the legislature was taking further steps to align Ghana’s domestic legal framework with international human rights protocols, while also addressing longstanding issues such as poor prison conditions, gender inequality, and environmental protection.
He assured the IPU that Parliament remains committed to strengthening its oversight and accountability responsibilities to safeguard the rights of all citizens.
Mr Bagbin further revealed that Ghana’s Parliament has actively participated in sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), reinforcing its commitment to international cooperation on rights issues.
Responding to the Speaker’s remarks, the IPU’s Senior Programme Officer for Governance, Mr Akiyo Miguel Afouda, commended Parliament’s leadership and continued engagement.
He noted that the visit followed a previous meeting in March 2025, which celebrated the achievements of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and discussed opportunities for collaboration.
Mr Afouda announced that a capacity-building workshop is being planned to equip members of the Human Rights Committee of Parliament with tools to enhance their legislative and oversight roles in line with international standards.
The IPU is a global organisation of national parliaments working to promote peace, democracy, and human rights through political dialogue and institutional support.
