News
Parliament urged to keep human rights at centre of democratic governance
Parliament has been urged to continue placing human rights at the heart of its legislative, oversight and representative functions to strengthen Ghana’s democracy and promote inclusive national development.
Making a statement on the floor of Parliament to mark the International Day of Parliamentarianism on June 30, Member of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, said Parliament had a constitutional duty to protect the dignity, freedoms and rights of every Ghanaian.
The annual observance, established by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and endorsed by the United Nations, was celebrated this year under the theme, “Bring Human Rights into Focus.”
Mr Toobu said Parliament was not only a law-making institution but also a guardian of constitutional liberties and the social contract between the State and its citizens.
He noted that throughout the Fourth Republic, Parliament had advanced human rights through legislation, oversight and representation by supporting reforms that improved access to justice, promoted gender equality, protected children and vulnerable groups, strengthened the rights of persons with disabilities and safeguarded freedom of expression and association.
The Legislator stressed that emerging challenges such as poverty, inequality, insecurity, climate change and rapid digital transformation required Parliament to ensure that development and national security measures did not undermine human dignity and inclusion.
Mr Toobu highlighted several landmark laws passed by Parliament to strengthen Ghana’s human rights framework.
They include the Children’s Act, Domestic Violence Act, Human Trafficking Act, Persons with Disabilities Act, Mental Health Act, Right to Information Act, Data Protection Act, the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, the Affirmative and Gender Equity Act and the Social Protection Act.
He also disclosed that Parliament was currently considering the Community Service Bill, 2026, which seeks to reduce congestion in correctional facilities while promoting the welfare of inmates.
According to him, the establishment of Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights in 2024 further demonstrated the House’s commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of all Ghanaians.
The Committee, he said, is mandated to scrutinise legislation for compliance with international human rights standards and collaborate with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Mr Toobu paid tribute to former Speakers of Parliament and past Members of Parliament for their contributions to strengthening Ghana’s parliamentary democracy and democratic governance since the inception of the Fourth Republic.
He called for stronger, more responsive and inclusive parliamentary institutions capable of addressing contemporary challenges, including economic uncertainty, climate change, technological advancement and widening inequalities.
He urged Parliament to continue strengthening public confidence in democratic institutions by ensuring that its processes remained accessible, transparent and responsive, particularly to women, young people, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.
Mr Toobu expressed optimism that the commemoration would inspire parliamentarians to work together to preserve the democratic gains of the Fourth Republic and further strengthen Ghana’s Parliament as a beacon of democracy in Africa.
By Gordon Wellu
The Director of the Public Health Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and observe good hygiene during the flooding and rainy season to prevent a cholera outbreak.
According to him, although flooding in some parts of the country has subsided, the risk of cholera remains because the conditions that promote the spread of the disease still exist.
“The risk of cholera still exists,” Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe said, explaining that cholera is closely linked to unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation.
Speaking on 3 FM on Thursday, he cautioned the public against becoming complacent a few days or weeks after the floods, stressing that people should continue to be careful about the food they eat and the water they drink.
“I want to urge Ghanaians to be careful what we eat and drink. Let’s not assume that because the flood came last week, we can lower our guard,” he said.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe noted that countries with access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation have largely eliminated cholera, adding that Ghana still has challenges in those areas.
He therefore advised the public to maintain high standards of personal hygiene, especially by washing their hands regularly with soap and clean water.
According to him, handwashing remains the most effective and affordable way to reduce the spread of cholera and other infectious diseases.
“The most cost-effective intervention is handwashing with soap and water,” he said.
According to him “That does not depend on whether there are floods or not. Make sure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water.”
He called on Ghanaians to maintain clean surroundings and practise proper sanitation to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Supreme Court has dismissed all four suits challenging the removal of Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Torkonoo from office as Chief Justice.
The court delivered its rulings earlier this morning, ending the legal challenge at the domestic level.
This follows last week’s judgement by the ECOWAS Court, which also rejected applications seeking to overturn Justice Torkonoo’s removal.
Each of the four cases filed at the Supreme Court argued against the processes that led to Justice Torkonoo’s exit. The court, however, found no legal basis to grant relief and dismissed each application in its entirety.
In a brief statement by the Deputy Attorney-General Jusrice Srem-Sai after the rulings, he expressed appreciation to the legal team.
“Gratitude to our team of State Attorneys and members of staff,” he posted on Facebook, acknowledging their role in defending the state’s position through both ECOWAS and Supreme Court proceedings.
Background
Justice Gertrude Torkonoo was removed from office as Chief Justice following proceedings initiated earlier this year.
The move triggered multiple legal challenges, including four separate suits at the Supreme Court and petitions before the ECOWAS Court of Justice.
Both courts have now ruled against the challengers.
Last week, the ECOWAS Court dismissed the regional applications, and this morning’s Supreme Court decision closes the matter in Ghana.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
