YoHRA organises first Ghana youth human rights conference on December 11

The Youth for Human Rights Africa (YoHRA), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with a focus to promote the observance of fundamental human rights in Africa will hold its first Ghana youth human rights conference on December 11, this year, at the African Regent Hotel in Accra.

The event, which will be held on the theme: "Promoting Fundamental Human Rights: A catalyst for accelerated socioeconomic development in a free and just society", will attract speakers and participants from the academia, government, civil society and other local and international NGOs.

The conference is expected to be attended by close to 270 human rights activists, advocates, promoters and ambassadors from Ghana and other African countries.

The Ghana youth human rights conference is aimed at advancing and promoting issues critical to human rights on the African continent and Ghana.

In a statement signed and issued by the President of the organisation on Thursday, December 8, 2017, Mr Francis-Xavier Sosu, said the conference is also intended to equip human rights ambassadors and promoters in Ghana and other countries to become more effective both at the national and continental levels.

Below is the full statement

The Ghana Youth Human Rights Conference 2017 will be held on the 11th of December, 2017 is to mark the United Nations Human Rights Day. The theme is "Promoting Fundamental Human Rights: A catalyst for accelerated socioeconomic development in a free and just society".

This year’s event which is the first of its kind will be held at the African Regent Hotel. It will be attended by about 270 confirmed human rights activists, advocates, promoters and ambassadors from Ghana and other African countries as well as some international partners to advance the issues critical to Human Rights on the African continent and Ghana.

The confirmed African countries to participate include but not limited to Kenya, Gambia, Togo, Nigeria, Zambia and Ethiopia.

The Conference will enlighten participants about Human Rights Education and promotion and create a platform for networking among human rights promotors.

The Conference also seeks to equip Human Rights Ambassadors and Promoters in Ghana and other countries to become more effective national and continental Human Rights Ambassadors.

Additionally, the conference will create a common platform to share experiences in human rights promotion in Africa and also train participants in how to develop Human Rights projects among many other benefits.

The Conference will be in two sessions and the plenary session would be chaired by the Former Director of anticorruption and chief investigator at CHRAJ and criminologist, Prof. Ken Attafua.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Raymond Atuguba a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, University of Ghana. The Special Guest of Honour is Hon. Otiko Djaba, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

The Leadership of Parliament would be represented by the Minority and Majority Leaders, and also will be in attendance are selected personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prison Service, The Ghana Armed Forces, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

The Commissioner of National Commission on Civic Education, Mrs. Nkrumah would also be in attendance as well. During the Presentation session, Regional Ambassadors of Human Rights from the Youth For Human Rights Africa (YoHRA) as well as Chapter representatives from University of Ghana – YoHRA, Mount Crest University –YoHRA, Ghana Institute of Journalism – YoHRA, and Ghana Christian University –YoHRA would briefly address participants on various human rights projects they are undertaking to promote human rights in their respective communities.

There will be brief training sessions to be addressed by Dr. Peter Atupare, a Senior Lecturer at School of Law, University of Ghana and Deputy Director, Research and Legal of YoHRA, Dr. Angela Lamptey, Prof. Vuckor Quarshie and many others. Human Rights projects like Child Rights International, Time Masters, WILDAF, Ghana Disability Forum, Tabitha Ghana, Treasure of Life Foundation, iDEA Africa and Street Children Empowerment Foundation would be present to share how they have promoted rights through those existing projects over the year.

Many people are ignorant about their fundamental Rights and this Conference is likely going to be a game changer as it equips Ghanaians and other participants from other African Countries with relevant skills in Human Rights, advocacy and practice.

Youth for Human Rights Africa (YoHRA) is a Non-Governmental Organization registered in Ghana to serve as a medium to promote the observance of Fundamental Human Rights in Africa by the use of National, Regional, African and the United Nations Human Rights Instruments.

The Organization’s vision is “to lead Human Rights Promotion and Advocacy across the Continent of Africa” and its Mission is “to Serve as a medium to Promote and Advocate the Observance of Fundamental Human Rights by the use of National, Regional, African and United Nations Human Rights Instruments.

FRANCIS-XAVIER SOSU
PRESIDENT OF YoHRA