Amnesty International Ghana, despite humble and challenging beginnings, has evolved along with a growing team of individuals dedicated to protecting human rights of everyone. Through Human Rights Education, advocacy work and campaigns, Membership engagements and youth work, we have been instrumental in addressing human rights issues in Ghana.
Our work focuses on the following areas:
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND CIVIC SPACE
Our aim is to strengthen the people’s right to freedom of expression and association by 2030, benefitting from expanded civic space, more people in more places under more circumstances – online and offline – are safely exercising their freedom of expression, under shelter of laws and regulations that protect them from violence, harassment, and unfair treatment.
PROTECT THE PROTEST
This global campaign by Amnesty International was launched in Ghana in March 2024 to address the growing national crackdown on protests in Ghana, From the Arise Ghana demonstration to the Fix the Country protests through to the Occupy “Julorbi” protests in Ghana, there have been severe infringements on the rights of protesters which must be protected.
The “Protect the Protest” campaign by Amnesty International Ghana represents a critical effort to defend and promote the right to peaceful assembly as a fundamental human right essential to the functioning of democracy.
By raising awareness, advocating for legal reforms, providing support to activists, mobilizing stakeholders, and fostering dialogue and understanding, we aim to create an enabling environment where the right to peaceful protest is respected, protected, and upheld for all individuals in Ghana. AI Ghana collaborates with various government agencies and pressure group regarding this campaign.
This campaign is not merely a call to action; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to defending the rights of all individuals to peacefully assemble, express dissent, and engage in activism without fear of persecution. Amnesty International’s “Protect the Protest” campaign emerges as a beacon of hope and solidarity. Drawing inspiration from pivotal moments in history, where collective action and protest have catalysed notable change, this initiative seeks to galvanize a global movement. Our mission is to safeguard the right to protest, ensuring that voices calling for justice and equality are not silenced but celebrated and protected, and this can be achieved through our campaign.
EQUALITY AND NON – DISCRIMINATION
Our aim is that, by 2030, states and corporations are adopting and implementing human-rights consistent laws, policies and practices that address and prevent the root causes of inequality, effectively combat all forms of discrimination, and provide human rights protections to those affected by the climate emergency.
SEXUAL AND GENDER – BASED VOILENCE
Ending sexual and gender-based violence in Ghana campaign focuses on raising public awareness, advocating for stronger laws and policies, and enhancing support systems for survivors. By conducting educational workshops, leveraging media platforms, engaging with policymakers, and partnering with local organizations, the campaign aims to foster a society that is informed, responsive, and intolerant of SGBV.
Through these efforts, we strive to ensure that victims receive the support they need and that perpetrators are held accountable, ultimately working towards a safer and more equitable environment for all.
MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT
Menstruation is a natural and fundamental aspect of the female experience, yet many vulnerable women and girls in underserved communities in Ghana continue to face significant challenges in managing their periods with dignity and without financial burden.
The classification of menstrual hygiene materials, such as sanitary pads, as luxury items under the VAT Act ,2013, (Act 870) & Customs Act, 2025 (Act 891) is a key contributor to this problem, creating an unnecessary barrier to accessing these products and perpetuating gender inequality.
Amnesty Int. Ghana’s effort is to continue advocacy and public education on menstrual hygiene management and the need for complete tax exemption on sanitary products for women and girls. Through this campaign we also call for the need for proper hygienic facilities in various schools and communities for women and girls. Period poverty and lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities has a direct impact on school retention girls of school going age.
HOW CHANGE HAPPENS
