Complaints of sexual harassment cases low, Short

Cape Coast, Aug 26, GNA- The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice of Ghana (CHRAG) has so far investigated only three complaints of sexual harassment although the incidence of sexual harassment is widespread in the society.

Mr Emile Short, Commissioner for CHRAG, made this known at a day's seminar in Cape Coast for heads of departments and personnel officers in the Central Region on Wednesday.

He pointed out that like rape, most victims of sexual harassment do not rpt not report the violation; many victims are also unaware that it is against the law while many are persuaded by families and friends to drop the charges for fear of being victimised especially when the alleged offender is a "highly regarded gentleman of considerable repute".

Mr Short said CHRAG would therefore organise series of educational campaigns nation-wide on the issue. The commissioner said since the inception of CHRAJ, about 60 percent of the cases handled centred on human right violations at workplaces, which include wrongful dismissals, transfers and promotions.

He stressed that an employee being punished or dismissed should be given fair hearing for him to defend his actions and called on public sector officials to observe the principle of administrative justice, adding that "the right to administrative justice in Ghana is constitutionally rooted".

Mr Short said since the CHRAJ brought to light some unsatisfactory conditions at the country's prisons including overcrowding, congestion and sentencing of expectant mothers, conditions had considerably improved.

He said certain dehumanising cultural practices which were also brought to the limelight are gradually being phased out and pointed out that the fight against the violations of human rights should be a collaborative one since the commission alone cannot fight it.

The Central Regional Minister, Lt. Colonel Charles Agbenaza (rtd), charged people in high public offices to ensure that they do not rpt not violate the rights of their subordinates just because they are ignorant of their rights.

The Commission presented 18 cartons of soap and a quantity of books donated by Unilever Ghana Limited to the Ankaful, Anomabo and Winneba prisons.