CHAPTER 2
? Provide adequate funding to governance institutions to continue educating the public
on their citizenship entitlements and responsibilities, thus empowering them to vote
knowledgeably and responsibly.
? Consider the adoption of an appropriate plan to facilitate the transfer of
administrative and financial power to the decentralised bodies.
? Consider the merits of making all positions in District Assemblies elective, and act
accordingly and promptly.
? Adopt an affirmative action for women and youth in organs of the decentralised
system of governance, with clearly specified quotas and time-frames.
? Lift the ban on political party activity in decentralised systems, including political
party campaigns on the basis of party affiliations.
Objective 3: Promote and protect economic, social, cultural, civil and political
rights, as enshrined in all African and international human rights instruments
i. Self-assessment
43. In providing a firm and solid constitutional framework for promoting respect for
human rights by all Ghanaians and preventing abuses by the State, the 1992
Constitution has been a refreshing improvement on previous constitutions of the
country. Chapter 5 of the Constitution provides not only for traditional civil and
political rights, but also for social and economic rights. Due to the liberal constitutional
provisions, there has been a blossoming of CSOs and NGOs, and a very vibrant, active
civil society in Ghana has emerged. Ghanaians have made impressive gains in: (a)
redressing the legacy of human rights abuses under military rule; (b) enhancing rule of
law and constitutionalism; (c) fostering accountability; and (d) promoting grassroots
participation in the development and democratisation processes. In this regard, the
work of the CHRAJ has been outstanding. It has taken action to address abuse and
violations of human rights committed by the State and its officials, and also those arising
from cultural practices, like trokosi (the perpetual enslavement of virgins in southeastern Ghana), female circumcision and penal colonies for alleged witches.
Legal provisions recognising and guaranteeing human rights
44. Constitutional provisions exist for the promotion and protection of the following
categories of human rights: civil and political rights; and economic, social and cultural
rights. Among the civil and political rights enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, are: the
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