Professor Kwesi Aning, Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre (KAIPTC), finds it difficult to understand why the US report on human rights standards in Ghana is treated with such seriousness in comparison to the voices of Ghanaian activists.
Prof Aning, who described the study as a rehash of issues made by local activists over the years, said the US human rights report should not be viewed as groundbreaking.
Prof Aning expressed his disappointment on JoyNews PM Express on Wednesday, April 27 that it took the US State Department's report for such concerns to become prevalent among Ghanaians.
This, he explained, suggests that the different activists' efforts throughout the country are in vain. "However, we've addressed these issues before the US, so what's the big problem here?" Each and every example is included in this paper. And it is here that I express my dissatisfaction with the way this report is being handled.
"People have raised their voices about the way the judiciary works, about corruption, about police brutality, about the use of weapons and firearms in situations where they shouldn't be used," he questioned. "Are we saying that when Ghanaian activists raise their voices and point to the gaps and weaknesses in our politics, it doesn't matter until Uncle Sam and his agents have written?"
"Is that what we're saying?" Prof Kwesi Aning inquired further. That is when activists and people who are fighting for rule of law come together.
that human rights aren't respected, that accountability and transparency in the use of our financial resources aren't valued, that those voices and struggles aren't heard?"
He asked Ghanaians to pay close attention to activists in the nation who devote their time and efforts to exposing rot and corruption in the country's different domains.
"My position is that they do matter and that we need to put more focus on internal struggle and make foreign reporting secondary to what is going on here since no one except the Ghanaian people can bring about reform or change."
"And I think we need to recognize those who are putting their lives on the line, those who are being brutalized for whatever reason," Prof Aning said.
The US Department of State has released its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2021.
Denial of a fair public trial, government corruption and lack of transparency, arbitrary deprivation of life, and other unlawful or politically motivated deaths are also highlighted in the study.
The others include freedom of expression, which includes journalists and other members of the media, as well as elections and political involvement.