Arusha: President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger continental institutions to defend human rights, urging African nations to deepen their support for the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. He made the remarks on Monday, March 2, 2026, while delivering an address at the opening of the 2026 judicial year of the African Court. The event brought together jurists, diplomats, and legal scholars from across the continent.
According to Ghana Web, President Mahama reflected on Africa's shared past, emphasizing the solidarity that defined the struggle for independence and the political instability that followed. He highlighted the importance of unity during Africa's liberation era and the subsequent spread of political instability, marked by a series of coup d'©tats across the continent.
President Mahama underscored the collective responsibility of African countries to strengthen institutions that serve the continent impartially. He described the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights as a vital pillar in protecting justice, rights, and democratic values. He stated that the court has consistently demonstrated the courage to guide Africa's moral compass over the past two decades.
Additionally, Mahama emphasized the significance of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, noting that all African countries are signatories with a duty to uphold its principles. He urged for the empowerment of the court to safeguard these ideals, describing them as Africa's greatest inheritance.
Highlighting Ghana's contribution, Mahama pointed out that the country has consistently provided distinguished legal professionals to support the court's mandate and strengthen its work across the continent.