The latest 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices published by the U.S. Department of State has made some damning revelations about some agencies and agents in Ghana.
The report, sectioned into seven parts discusses the total disregard for the respect for the integrity of persons; civil liberties; freedom to participate in political process; corruption and lack of transparency in government; posture towards alleged abuses of human rights; discrimination and societal abuses, as well as the rights of workers happening in Ghana.
This article will delve into the first section of the report – Respect for the Integrity of the Person.
Killings
Government through its agents has been accused of unlawful killings. The report cited the shooting incident in February where police officers killed one and injured eight others at the palace of the Yendi Chief after opening fire.
Although the six officers involved in the incident were suspended with reduced pay, the Police administration failed to release the results of its internal investigation – derailing accountability.
The 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices also bemoaned the demise of Albert Donkor, who passed away while in police custody for his alleged involvement in a series of robberies.
“In a departure from typical practice, police did not announce an operation or arrest had taken place until more than three weeks later,” the report bemoaned.
Donkor’s death prompted protests in Nkoranza which also led to the death of an individual after a clash between the youth and police.
“As of November police had not concluded an internal investigation into both deaths,” the report added.
Ghana’s inability to unravel the eight deaths that took place during the 2020 elections is another major concern highlighted in the report.
At least two of the victims were killed by the National Elections Security Task Force, composed of military and police units, per a portion of the report.
Torture
Although the report was unable to cite specific instances, it nonetheless accused state agencies such as the Police of abusing detained suspects and other citizens.
It noted that victims were unwilling to stand up against the police and in instances where they did, the “police generally denied allegations or claimed the level of force used was justified.”
“Impunity remained a significant problem in the Ghana Police Service, particularly regarding corruption and bribery. The investigation and complaints processes did not effectively address reports of abuses and bribery. Results of internal police investigations were almost never publicly released,” the report further revealed.
The Office of the Inspector General of Police and the Police Professional Standards Board, per the report investigated claims of excessive force by police force members. It is unknown whether sanctions were meted out or not.
Abusive Physical Conditions
Ghana’s prison and detention centers have been considered abusive to the fact that they are overcrowded, have poor sanitary conditions, medical care and subpar food which is mostly inadequate.
“Meals routinely lacked fruit, vegetables, or meat, forcing prisoners to rely on charitable donations and their families to supplement their diet.”
The report noted that as of September 2022, overcrowding stood at 150 percent of capacity per information from the Ghana Prisons Service.
The huge number got about 100 prisoners sharing one toilet which often overflowed with excrement.
“There were no facilities to support intersex or transitioning persons,” the report highlighted as a challenge to LGBTQ persons whose presence is frowned upon by society.
On treatment of detainees, the report stated that authorities frequently detained individuals without charge or a valid arrest warrant for periods longer than 48 hours, contrary to the law.
It noted that for instance, 30 members of the LGBTQI+ community who were arrested by the Police on June 26, 2021, and were only released on June 28, 2021. The charges of unlawful assembly – the reason for the arrest, were later dropped due to lack of evidence.
The report also lamented the lengthy pretrial detention where the government kept prisoners in extended pretrial detention (up to many months) due to “police failure to investigate or follow up on cases, case files lost when police prosecutors rotated to other duties every three years, slow trial proceedings marked by frequent adjournments, detainees’ inability to meet bail conditions that were often set extremely high even for minor offenses, and inadequate legal representation for criminal defendants.”
The law provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court, but lack of legal representation for detainees inhibited this right, the report added.
Denial of fair public trial
The reported highlighted the role of corrupt judges who prevented fair trials. These unidentified judges are said to have accepted bribes to expedite or postpone cases, “lost” records, or issued favorable rulings for the payer of the bribe.
“A judicial complaints unit within the Ministry of Justice headed by a retired Supreme Court justice addressed complaints from the public, such as unfair treatment by a court or judge, unlawful arrest or detention, missing trial dockets, delayed trials and rendering of judgments, and bribery of judges. The government generally respected court orders,” the report mentioned.
Visit the IndependentGhana.com for the remaining sections of the 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices.
Source: The Independent Ghana