Accra: Vice-Chairman of Parliament's Human Rights Committee and Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South Constituency, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has urged African nations to prioritize human rights education as a strategy to mitigate the increasing violations reported across the continent.
According to Ghana Web, international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented a rise in abuses related to armed conflicts, restricted freedom of expression, violence against women and vulnerable groups, deficient healthcare systems, and limited access to essential social services in Africa. Dr Agyemang emphasized these concerns during the 87th Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) in The Gambia, where he represented Ghana's Parliament.
Dr Agyemang underscored the necessity of educating the populace about human rights and violations, highlighting that awareness empowers people to demand accountability and justice. He argued that human rights should encompass not only political liberties but also access to quality healthcare, safe infrastructure, potable water, and decent living conditions.
Drawing on the impact of inadequate social systems, Dr Agyemang pointed out that preventable deaths and insufficient healthcare access should also be viewed as human rights issues. He illustrated this by explaining that a child's death from a preventable disease violates the child's right to life. Similarly, he cited the challenges faced by women in rural areas who lack access to basic infrastructure, exposing them to various dangers and hardships.
Dr Agyemang's remarks coincide with growing concerns from rights observers about deteriorating human rights conditions in Africa. Amnesty International's recent regional report highlighted governmental suppression of protests, restrictions on dissent, and challenges in addressing humanitarian crises arising from conflict, poverty, and climate-related disasters.
In Ghana, Amnesty International reports have drawn attention to issues such as attacks on journalists, violence against women accused of witchcraft, and the rights of minority groups and vulnerable communities. Dr Agyemang advocates for incorporating human rights education into school curricula across Africa to address these challenges effectively. He proposed that education should start from the basic level and extend to tertiary institutions to cultivate a generation that comprehends justice, equality, accountability, and civic responsibility.
Beyond formal education, Dr Agyemang encouraged churches, marketplaces, civil society organizations, and community groups to actively promote discussions on human rights and civic awareness, emphasizing the role of education as a powerful tool for change.