According to ghana news agency:S(HE)', which aimed to disseminate information on gender-transformative approaches to combating discrimination, maltreatment, and injustice faced by men, women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
The workshop, intended to strengthen collaboration and coordination among key partners in the Ho community and its surroundings, focused on advocacy efforts to end abuse and discrimination. Attendees included representatives from Persons with Disability (PWDs), civil society organisations, organised groups, religious leaders, and officials from key state institutions.
Mr. Ambrose Cori, the Legal Officer at CHRAJ, facilitated a session on 'Human Rights and Gender,' encouraging participants to report abuses to appropriate state institutions to ensure the state's promotion and protection of their rights and freedoms. After hearing testimonies of human rights violations, particularly a case of job discrimination against a participant who is a PWD, he urged Ghanaians to stop tolerating abuses and seek legal redress.
The participant shared his experience of excelling in an interview for an account officer position, only to be told later that he could not be hired because he used a wheelchair. Mr. Cori stated that the participant should have reported this violation to state institutions like CHRAJ, describing the incident as a clear violation of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to work, fair wages, and safe working environments for all, regardless of disability.
Mr. Cori emphasized the need to change the narrative and access rights, noting that typical Ghanaians don't take human rights issues to court. "It takes just one case to change narratives," he said. He also highlighted that denying jobs to PWDs is unconstitutional and pointed out that many employers are unaware of government-provided tax incentives for organizations that employ PWDs, a policy intended to promote inclusive hiring.
Mrs. Joy Anima Debrah, the Deputy Director of Public Education at CHRAJ, called for a more comprehensive approach to social justice, development, and support, considering intersecting factors that could shape a person's experiences of discrimination, vulnerability, or privilege.
On the topic of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV), Mr. Abdul-Fatawu Mahama, the Tamale Metropolitan Director of NCCE, urged stakeholders to tackle negative social and gender norms and harmful practices to achieve a gender-equal society. He also advocated for a survivor-centered approach and the application of the law in cases of abuse.
Some participants who spoke to Ghana News Agency expressed feeling empowered to speak up, document abuses, and use existing legal and institutional channels to seek redress.