MPs for Human Rights calls for protection of freedom of religion and belief in Ghana

Ghana’s Chapter of the Africa Parliamentarians Association for Human Rights (AfriPAHR ) has called on colleague parliamentarians and civil society organizations (CSOs) to join forces to help protect Freedom of Region or Belief (FORB) in the country.

Chairman of the Ghana Parliament caucus of AfriPAHR, Hon Suleiman Adamu Sanid, made the call at a pre-inaugural roundtable meeting with Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) in Accra on Wednesday, November 2, 2022.

He said MPs have duties as representatives of the people to voice out for protection of human rights, especially freedom of religion and belief.

AfriPAHR was founded in 2017, as an independent, non-partisan network of parliamentarians from the African continent that works to advance democracy, freedom of religion or belief, and human rights to build a fairer and inclusive Africa, through diplomacy and fostering strategic alliances between nations.

It has its Head office in South Africa with Steering Committee members from across Africa and parliamentarians participate in AfriPAHR as individuals and not as representatives of political or government bodies.

Hon Sanid MP for Ahafo Ano North said Ghana’s caucus which is yet to be inaugurated believed the role of MPs goes beyond enactment of laws and that they are better position to ensure citizens enjoys the freedom of region or belief and any tradition of practices.

He said their work focuses on building the capacity of regional parliamentarians and legislators, conducting advocacy and fact-finding missions related to human rights, and creating public awareness in Ghana and Africa region, nothing that, ACEPA comes in as a strategic partner to help the association with its parliamentary work experience.

“We will be discussing what role as parliamentarians we can play in trying to advance the course of social equality, democratic principle, and human rights in Ghana and in Africa”, he added.

Hon Sani said, currently Ghana’s parliament caucus has about 15 registered members and targets about 30 members when the association is officially inaugurated.

He told EXPRESSNEWSGHANA, the Ghana caucus would work to ensure that, AfriPAHR advocacy is sustained even when most of the pioneers are no more in parliament, stating,” sustaining the association is key and we will work to ensure that even when most of us are no ore in parliament, the association does not collapse. Human rights issues have no barriers.”

“Mobilizing our member parliamentarians to act on human rights violations in their constituency, in the country, and in Africa in order to defend and safeguard democracy and human rights, including the right to freedom of religion or belief of the most vulnerable members is our focus,” the lawmaker added.

Speaking at the roundtable meeting on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB), a Senior Governance Advisor at ACEPA, Mr. Issifu Lampo said, the right to freedom of thought, religion, or belief is a fundamental and universal human right articulated in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

According to him, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights asserts, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion which includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”

He said Parliamentarians have a vital role to play in enhancing FoRB and as well as a duty to hold their respective executives to account in fulfilling their pledges to protect the human right of their citizens.

Mr. Lampo added that parliamentarians are the voice of the people that they represent and, therefore, should speak on behalf of the diverse range of beliefs in the world.

“As leaders within constituencies, they have an opportunity and a duty to promote religious tolerance and freedom within their respective communities and legislators.

FoRB, he said encompasses not just the freedom to hold personal thoughts and convictions, but also being able to manifest them individually or with others, publicly or in private.
While commending the MPs for taking an interest in advocating for the rights of others, Mr. Lampo said, there is an instance where the state limit and restrict the right to such freedoms.

“FoRB can be limited by the state, but only in exceptional situations, and with a high threshold of evidence required from those seeking to enforce limitations. Restrictions are only justified if “limitations are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others,” he said.

The roundtable meeting discussion centered mostly on the ways forward for the Human Rights MP’s contribution to promoting such rights in the country, especially legislative enactment issues on bills and Instruments.

Other stakeholders include the Peace Council, THE Office of National Chief Imam, and the Humanists in Ghana, among other CSOs in human rights issues.

Some of the MPs were, Hon Dominic Napare, MP Sene East, Dr Kingsly Nyarko, MP Kwadaso, Hon Bakye Yelveil Bailigi, MP Lambussie, Hon Francis Xavier Sosu, MP Madina, Dr Godfred Seidu Jasaw, MP Wa East, Hon Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, MP Tempane, Hon Emmanuel Agyei Anhwere, MP Atwima-Nwabiagya South and Hon Akwesi Owusu Mensah-Afrifa, MP for Amasaman.