Amnesty International Ghana campaigns to expose human rights violations, challenge injustice and mobilise individuals, communities and institutions to demand meaningful change. Campaigning is central to the organisation’s work because human rights progress requires more than identifying problems; it requires sustained public pressure, evidence-based advocacy, collective action and accountability from those responsible for protecting and respecting rights.
AIG’s campaigns respond to critical human rights concerns in Ghana, with work spanning freedom of expression and civic space, equality and non-discrimination, gender justice, the death penalty and the rights of people who experience discrimination or other forms of abuse. Through research, petitions, public education, media engagement, stakeholder meetings, community mobilisation and direct advocacy with decision-makers, the organisation works to ensure that human rights concerns remain visible and that calls for change are supported by credible evidence.
witchcraft accusations
We also campaigns against witchcraft accusations and the violence, discrimination and exclusion experienced by people accused of witchcraft, particularly women and older people in parts of northern Ghana. Its work includes research, public education, petition mobilisation, engagement with state institutions and collaboration with civil society partners. The Branded for Life research initiative documented the experiences and human rights concerns of people accused of witchcraft, providing an evidence base for advocacy and public engagement. Through this work, we call for effective legal protection, accountability for abuses, access to justice and measures that address the stigma and harmful beliefs that expose people to violence and displacement. The organisation also supports collective advocacy for legal measures that protect people against witchcraft accusations.
death penalty
One of the most significant milestones in our campaigning history is its longstanding work towards the abolition of the death penalty in Ghana. Through years of research, public education, engagement with legal experts, collaboration with civil society and advocacy with parliamentarians and other decision-makers, Amnesty International Ghana contributed to the wider movement that secured the removal of the death penalty from Ghana’s laws on ordinary criminal offences and military offences in 2023. This landmark development demonstrates the value of sustained campaigning and collective action in advancing human rights reform. We continue to support the global movement towards universal abolition and to promote human rights-based approaches to criminal justice.
protect the protest
Freedom of expression and civic space form another important area of campaigning. Through the Protect the Protest campaign, AIG promotes the right to peaceful assembly and challenges restrictions and practices that undermine people’s ability to express themselves, organise and participate in public life. The campaign seeks to strengthen public understanding of peaceful assembly as a fundamental human right, encourage respect for the rights of protesters and promote accountability where those rights are violated. By engaging communities, the media, civil society and relevant institutions, we work to create an environment in which people can raise concerns and participate in civic life without fear of intimidation or unlawful repression.
sexual and gender-based violence
We undertake campaigns addressing gender-based violence, including violence facilitated by digital technologies. Through public education, youth engagement, social media advocacy and partnerships, we seek to challenge harmful social norms, promote respect for bodily autonomy and dignity, and encourage action to prevent and respond to violence. These efforts recognise that discrimination and abuse are often reinforced by social attitudes and institutional failures, making sustained public engagement and accountability essential.
Campaigning at AIG is intended to connect public awareness with concrete action. Petitions can demonstrate public concern; research can strengthen advocacy demands; media engagement can amplify affected people’s experiences; and direct engagement with decision-makers can create opportunities for policy and institutional change. These approaches work together to build pressure for reform and strengthen public participation in human rights advocacy.
Ultimately, Amnesty International Ghana’s campaigns seek to ensure that human rights violations are not ignored or normalised. By mobilising people around shared concerns and advancing clear, evidence-based demands, AIG works towards a Ghana where laws protect everyone, institutions are accountable and individuals can exercise their rights freely and equally.