Human Rights Defenders - Ghana holds workshop for journalists

Human Rights Defenders-Ghana, a group of journalists championing the cause of human rights in society, have called on journalists to accommodate the cultural orientations of others and uphold the rights of all in the society.

They said we live in a pluralistic society and the rights of all- disadvantaged and neglected, must be protected.

Speaking in turns at a panel discussion as part of a capacity building workshop for journalists in the Eastern and Volta regions in Koforidua, they said there is the need for journalists to keep themselves abreast with the constitution and educate the public on their rights.

The two-day workshop was organized by the African Centre for International Law and Accountability (ACILA) in collaboration with the Human Rights Defenders - Ghana to educate participants on Ghana’s obligations under the domestic human rights law as guaranteed by the constitution.

Mr Kojo Quansah, a Human Right Defender and a regional correspondent of the Daily Guide newspaper in the Upper West Region, said often journalists who are supposed to be the voice of the voiceless tend to shy away from people with various cultural orientations- for instance gays and lesbians.

He said he heard of a situation where the business of a friend collapsed just because of the speculation that the owner was a ‘gay’ and called on journalists to protect rights of not only people in such situations but all in the society as well.

Mr Quansah said under such situations it is important to educate the public to know that people have the right to do things so far as they do not infringe on the rights of others.

Ms Fatima Astanga Anafu, a journalist with the Ghana News Agency and also a member of the Human Rights Defenders-Ghana, said the role of journalists in respecting the rights of the individual is critical since they reported on various issues bordering on societal values and culture.

She called for advocacy for vulnerable groups such as albinos, women and children as they experience abuse and neglect through various cultural limitations like widowhood rites amongst others.

Mr Muniru Ibrahim, a radio broadcaster and a member of the group, called on journalists to not only to report on issues but also to lead victims to the appropriate quarters for redress.

Mr William Nyarko, the Executive Director of ACILA, said Ghana’s constitution guaranteed the rights and freedom of people more so it has ratified international laws that seek to protect the rights of all in the society irrespective of their creed.

He said there is the need for journalists to keep themselves abreast with the constitution adding that customary and traditional laws were all subject to the constitution and this means they cannot be used to abuse the rights of others.