The United States has raised concerns about Ghana’s repeated neglect of constitutional safeguards, spotlighting a series of troubling developments in its 2024 Human Rights Report.
Although the report acknowledges that the overall human rights landscape has not drastically shifted, it underscores pressing issues such as unlawful detentions, constraints on press freedom, and the government’s inadequate efforts to hold abusive officials accountable.
Democratic Integrity Under Scrutiny
The report offers a sobering assessment of Ghana’s democratic framework, warning of a growing pattern where influential figures operate without consequences, and the justice system occasionally fails to shield everyday citizens.
Press Freedom at Risk: A Climate of Lawlessness
Journalist safety is identified as a key concern, with credible accounts of intimidation and violence prompting widespread self-censorship among media professionals.
One prominent incident involved Citi FM/TV journalist Mohammed Alabira, who was attacked on January 27 by Farouk Aliu Mahama—former Member of Parliament for Yendi—and his supporters while covering a political primary that descended into chaos.
Despite strong condemnation from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which demanded Mahama’s arrest and prosecution, the U.S. report notes that no legal action had been taken against him by the end of the year. This failure to pursue justice in a high-profile case is sharply criticized.
The report further reveals that media outlets with political affiliations and smaller news organizations are especially vulnerable. Journalists often resort to self-censorship to avoid threats, harassment, and expensive legal challenges.
Legal Protections Ignored: Arbitrary Detention
Although Ghana’s constitution forbids arbitrary arrest and detention, the report finds these rights are frequently violated. Authorities routinely detain individuals beyond the legal 48-hour limit without warrants or formal charges.
This contributes to a widespread issue of prolonged pretrial incarceration, with some detainees held for years—sometimes longer than the maximum sentence for the alleged offense.
One example cited involves a person accused of “unnatural carnal knowledge” who was detained without evidence for an extended period. The case was eventually dropped due to lack of proof, but not before the individual endured unlawful detention. Contributing factors include police inaction, misplaced case files, and limited access to affordable legal aid.
Labour Rights Undermined
The report also examines Ghana’s labour environment, noting that while laws exist to protect workers, enforcement is weak. Legal rights to unionize and negotiate collectively are recognized, but unions face steep fees for registration and renewal.
The right to strike is restricted for workers in sectors labeled “essential services”—a classification broader than international norms.
Minimum wage laws are routinely ignored. The national minimum wage of 18.15 cedis ($1.27) is not consistently upheld across both formal and informal sectors.
Workplace Safety and Oversight Failures
Occupational safety and health standards are another area of concern, especially in the mining industry, where illegal operations persist due to alleged corruption and poor regulatory enforcement.
The government’s labour inspection agency is described as undertrained, understaffed, and lacking the authority to penalize violators effectively.
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