Basic 8 · Social Studies · Human Rights
Human Rights in Ghanaian Society
In this topic you will examine the importance of human rights in Ghanaian society, including rights under the Constitution, their value and how they are protected.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain what human rights are
- Identify human rights in the 1992 Constitution
- Explain the importance of human rights and how they are protected
What you already know
- Rights and responsibilities
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Sense Of Purpose
- Sub-strand
- Human Rights
- Indicator
- B8.4.1.1.1 – Examine the importance of human rights in the Ghanaian society
Introduction
You have certain rights simply because you are a human being. No one gave them to you, and no one may lawfully take them away without just cause.
1. What Are Human Rights?
Human rights: Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person.
Human rights apply to everyone regardless of age, sex, religion, ethnicity, wealth or disability. They are universal, which means that they are for all people everywhere. The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, after the horrors of the Second World War. Since then, nations have agreed to protect rights through treaties and laws. Ghana's own guarantee of these rights is found in Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution.
2. Rights in the Constitution
| Article | Right |
|---|---|
| 13 | right to life |
| 14 | personal liberty |
| 15 | respect for human dignity |
| 16 | freedom from slavery and forced labour |
| 17 | equality before the law |
| 21 | freedom of speech, religion and assembly |
| 25 | educational rights |
| 26 | cultural rights and practices |
| 28 | children's rights |
| 29 | rights of persons with disabilities |
3. Types of Rights
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| civil and political | voting, fair trial, free speech |
| economic and social | education, health, work |
| cultural | language, customs |
| group rights | rights of children and women |
Rights are linked. Without health, a child cannot use the right to education, and without education, it is hard to take part in political life. So a government must work to protect all these rights.
4. Rights Have Limits
Rights are not absolute. Your freedom of speech does not allow you to spread lies that harm others, or to incite violence. Article 26 protects culture, but it prohibits customs that dehumanise or harm people. The law can also limit rights to protect public safety, public health or the rights of others. Your rights end where another person's rights begin.
5. Rights at School
Learners have the right to be taught in a safe place, to be treated fairly and to be heard. They also have a duty to respect teachers and classmates, so that everyone can learn.
New words
- human rights
- Basic rights of all people.
- universal
- Applying to everyone.
- dignity
- The worth of each person.
- equality
- Being treated the same before the law.
Summary
- Human rights belong to all people because they are human.
- Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution protects rights in Ghana.
- Rights are linked and have reasonable limits.
Class activity: Rights Matching
- Write rights on cards.
- Match them to their types.
- Discuss one example of each from daily life.
You need: Miniature Ghana flag, Copy of the 1992 Constitution, Sample Ghana Card
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Ghana's rights are in Chapter ______ of the Constitution.
- A. 5
- B. 1
- C. 10
- D. 20
Show answer
Answer: 5Chapter 5.2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in…
- A. 1948
- B. 1957
- C. 1992
- D. 1885
Show answer
Answer: 1948UN.3. Human rights belong to everyone.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueUniversal.4. Being treated the same before the law is ______.
Show answer
Answer: equalityArticle 17.5. Name three rights in the 1992 Constitution.
Show answer
Answer: Right to life, education and freedom of speech.Any three.6. Why are rights not absolute?
Show answer
Answer: They must not harm others, so the law can limit them to protect others and the public.Limits.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Sense Of Purpose
- Sub-strand
- Human Rights
- Indicator
- B8.4.1.1.1 – Examine the importance of human rights in the Ghanaian society
Introduction
Rights written on paper mean little unless people know them and institutions protect them.
1. Why Human Rights Matter
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| dignity | Every person is treated with respect. |
| peace | Fair treatment reduces conflict. |
| democracy | People can speak and vote freely. |
| development | Healthy, educated people build the country. |
| protection | The weak are safe from abuse. |
| accountability | Leaders must respect the law. |
2. Abuses of Human Rights in Ghana
| Abuse | Protection |
|---|---|
| child labour and trafficking | Children's Act; Human Trafficking Act |
| domestic violence | Domestic Violence Act |
| discrimination against the disabled | Persons with Disability Act |
| Trokosi | banned by law in 1998 |
| female genital mutilation | crime under the Criminal Code |
| mob justice | a crime; report to the police |
Mob justice takes away people's right to a fair trial and life. Accused persons must be handed over to the police and tried in court. Witchcraft accusations against elderly women, some of whom have been sent to camps in northern Ghana, are also a serious rights concern. Awareness and strong laws are both needed to bring an end to these abuses.
3. Who Protects Rights?
| Institution | Role |
|---|---|
| CHRAJ | investigates abuses and educates |
| courts | enforce rights and try cases |
| police | protect people and arrest offenders |
| NCCE | teaches civic education |
| DOVVSU | handles domestic violence |
| Legal Aid | helps people who cannot pay a lawyer |
| media and civil society | expose abuses |
4. Your Role
- Know your rights and duties.
- Respect others' rights.
- Report abuse to a trusted adult or the authorities.
- Speak up peacefully when you see injustice.
- Do not bully or discriminate.
Article 41 reminds citizens that rights come with responsibilities. If you wish to be treated fairly, you need to treat others fairly. At school, this means not bullying or mocking people for how they look or speak. CHRAJ accepts complaints for free, so a person does not need money to seek justice. Protecting human rights is everyone's job, since abuse of one person's rights puts everyone's at risk.
New words
- abuse
- Wrong or harmful treatment.
- CHRAJ
- Ghana's human rights commission.
- mob justice
- Illegal punishment by a crowd.
- Trokosi
- A banned practice of ritual servitude.
Summary
- Human rights support dignity, peace and development.
- Ghana has laws and institutions to protect rights.
- Every citizen must respect rights and report abuses.
Class activity: Rights Campaign
- Choose one rights issue.
- Design a poster or a short drama.
- Present it to the school.
You need: Miniature Ghana flag, Copy of the 1992 Constitution, Sample Ghana Card
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which body investigates human rights abuses in Ghana?
- A. CHRAJ
- B. ECG
- C. GWCL
- D. WAEC
Show answer
Answer: CHRAJCommission.2. Illegal punishment by a crowd is called…
- A. mob justice
- B. a court trial
- C. a fine
- D. bail
Show answer
Answer: mob justiceCrime.3. Trokosi is banned by law.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: True1998.4. The body that teaches civic education is the ______.
Show answer
Answer: NCCECivics.5. Give three reasons why human rights matter.
Show answer
Answer: Dignity, peace and development.Any three.6. Why is mob justice a violation of rights?
Show answer
Answer: It denies the accused a fair trial and may take their life.Rights.
Homework
- Write about a right you value and how you can protect it for others.