African states urged to ratify human rights treaties at landmark Accra conference

A renewed and resounding call for universal ratification and effective implementation of African Union (AU) human rights treaties echoed across the halls of the Oak Plaza Hotel in Accra today, as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) convened a high-level continental advocacy meeting aimed at closing the gap between promises on paper and the lived realities of African citizens.

The two-day event, taking place from September 27 to 28, is themed “Towards Achieving the Universal Ratification and Effective Implementation of all African Human Rights Treaties.”

It brings together key actors from across Africa’s human rights landscape—state officials, commissioners, AU institutions, civil society organisations, and regional partners—all united in the shared goal of deepening continental commitment to Africa’s core human rights instruments.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Hon. Commissioner Janet Sallah-Njie, Vice Chairperson of the ACHPR and Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, underscored both the urgency and gravity of the task before the continent.

She reminded delegates that although Africa has crafted a robust architecture of human rights protection through various treaties, many of these instruments remain unratified or poorly implemented in numerous member states.

“The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights is not merely a legal document. It is a declaration that the dignity of the African people is non-negotiable,” Commissioner Sallah-Njie declared.

“Yet despite this, we continue to face a continental paradox—possessing the tools for transformation, yet hesitating to fully build with them.”

Framing the slow pace of ratification as more than a technical issue, she pointed to the human cost of inaction.

According to her, the continued marginalisation of vulnerable populations—including women, children, persons with disabilities, stateless persons, and the elderly—illustrates the consequences of leaving treaties in bureaucratic limbo.

She emphasized that ratification must no longer be viewed as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a long and necessary journey involving domestication, implementation, and monitoring.

Accra, as she noted, was a symbolic setting for this pivotal gathering.

As the homeland of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah—one of the architects of Pan-Africanism and the formation of the Organisation of African Unity—it served as an inspiring reminder of the ideals of continental solidarity, unity, and shared responsibility.

“We cannot afford to have blueprints without buildings,” Commissioner Sallah-Njie said. “This conference must be more than a dialogue. It must be a strategic turning point.”

In an equally compelling message, Dr. Sylvia Adosu, speaking on behalf of Ghana’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, welcomed participants to Ghana and expressed the country’s full support for the objectives of the meeting.

She reaffirmed Ghana’s longstanding commitment to the African human rights system, noting that the country has consistently signed, ratified, and domesticated major human rights treaties at both the continental and international levels.

However, she acknowledged that challenges remain and commended the ACHPR for its forthcoming promotional mission to Ghana.

This mission, she said, would provide a valuable opportunity for frank and constructive dialogue on the country’s performance regarding its treaty obligations, and offer clear recommendations to close any existing gaps.

Dr. Adosu also emphasized the central role of political will in driving ratification forward. She asserted that it is not enough to negotiate and adopt treaties at the continental level—the real test lies in the national commitment to transform these legal frameworks into real protections for African citizens. Leadership, she said, must come from the very top.

“To attain continental ratification and effective implementation of these treaties, there must be committed leadership at the highest levels of government,” she said.

“Ratification is not merely a formality—it is a reflection of a country’s values, its vision, and its dedication to its people.”

As the conference unfolds, participants are expected to engage in critical discussions on the status of each AU human rights treaty, the unique ratification challenges faced by different member states, and the best practices that can be adopted to overcome them.

A major outcome of the meeting is the adoption of a “Common Declaration”—a joint pledge by participating states to accelerate the ratification and implementation of key human rights treaties under the monitoring mandate of the ACHPR.

The ACHPR, which was established in 1987, continues to play a central role in ensuring that AU member states uphold their human rights obligations.

It not only monitors treaty compliance but also examines state reports, adjudicates individual complaints, and conducts country missions to promote accountability and dialogue.

Commissioner Sallah-Njie emphasized that the Commission’s role is not to condemn but to constructively engage with states.

Through detailed assessments, country visits, and recommendations, she said, the Commission seeks to provide technical guidance to governments to strengthen national laws and institutions.

“Ratification must move from paper to practice. The treaties we discuss today must be woven into the fabric of national policies, legislation, and enforcement mechanisms—where they can fully transform lives,” she stated.

As deliberations continue, the atmosphere in Accra is one of determination and shared purpose. From the welcoming hospitality extended by Ghana to the deep sense of collective responsibility expressed by the ACHPR and its partners, the message is clear: Africa is at a pivotal moment. The path toward a just, equitable, and rights-respecting continent lies in unity, political courage, and immediate action.

Whether this conference will indeed serve as the strategic turning point it aspires to be will depend on what happens after the final speeches are made, and whether words will translate into national commitments backed by legislation, implementation, and accountability.

But for now, Accra has spoken—and the continent is listening.

Source:Joseph Wemakor