CHRAJ at Weija-Gbawe Municipal Office celebrates International Human Rights Day

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) at the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Office in partnership with New Generation for Africa Project a Human Rights NGO commemorated universal declaration on human rights on Tuesday 10 December 2019 at Domeabra Methodist Basic School in the Ga South Municipality.

Mr. Frank Kwabena Owusu, the Municipal Director of CHRAJ at Weija-Gbawe Municipal Office and Lawyer Emmanuel Mahama the Chief Executive Officer of New Generation for Africa Project the major sponsors of program took turns to address the audience.

During his presentation, Mr Frank Kwabena Owusu, the Municipal Director of CHRAJ spoke on the theme 'Corruption as a Human Rights abuse', quoting former General Secretary of UN, Kofi Annan's definition of Corruption said "corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on society.

Mr. Owusu further stated that corruption and human rights are inextricably linked in the sense that if government is fulfilling a Constitutional mandate of introducing a free SHS but some unscrupulous Headmasters are exploiting some students by charging them fees.

According to him CHRAJ a policy document to combat corruption anytime it rears it ugly head.

He said the National Anti-Corruption Plan document transcends political boundaries and tackle Corruption holistically through prevention, education and enforcement.

He charged the participants to be patriotic citizens and help fight Corruption for national development.

Lawyer Emmanuel Mahama, the guest speaker who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of New Generation for Africa Project sensitized the audience on Gender-Based Violence in Schools (GBV).

He indicated that School-Related Gender-Based Violence is a violation of individual rights and must be halted.

According to him school-related gender based violence (GBV) includes any form of violence or abuse that is based on gender expression or identity.

He stated that GBV may include rape, unsolicited sexual touching or sexual comments, corporal punishment, bullying and verbal harassment among others. He further said that unequal power relations between adults and children and between males and females contribute to GBV. Both boys and girls can be victims as well as perpetrators.

Lawyer Mahama enumerated that GBV can take place in the school, on the school grounds, going to and from school or dormitories, and may be perpetrated by teachers, students, leading to greater rates of absenteeism, dropping out and educational failure.

More direct mental and physical injury, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections ( including HIV/AIDS) or emotional/ psychological I'll health.

Lawyer Mahama entreated the Children to be bold to report cases of Gender Based Violence to Constitutionally mandated bodies like CHRAJ, DOVVSU etc.