Bagbin re-inaugurates African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters with GH¢100,000 donation

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Bagbin, formally re-launched the African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters at a ceremony held at Labadi Beach Hotel in Accra on September 17. The Commission, which has its roots in 1989, was initially established to address human rights issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and discrimination against those affected.

Over time, its focus broadened to encompass supporting refugees and victims of torture, including journalists and others seeking asylum in Ghana. However, dwindling financial resources led to a decline in the organization's activities, prompting efforts to establish a new foundation for its work.

The Commission's new CEO, Bishop Louis Christian Godson, outlined three key areas of focus for the revived organization: advocacy and education, accountability and redress, and policy integration. Its mission will include promoting patients' rights, educating the public about healthcare rights, monitoring healthcare providers, documenting alleged violations, and contributing to policy discussions on health and human rights.

Mental health, access to healthcare, health insurance, and environmental health are among the topics anticipated to receive attention.

A central aspect of this re-inauguration was the launch of the Commission's Endowment Fund, designed to provide long-term financial support for its programs. The organization aims to raise US$10 billion within five years to sustain its research, legal aid, environmental testing, monitoring, and other initiatives aimed at advancing health and human rights. According to Bishop Godson, relying solely on short-term donor grants and irregular funding can compromise the sustainability of advocacy organizations.

Speaker Bagbin emphasized the importance of institutions bridging the gap between policymakers and citizens' realities. He highlighted the vital role that organizations working in health and human rights play in bringing the concerns of vulnerable people to the attention of policymakers and decision-makers. The Speaker underscored the need for sustainable financing, likening an institution without sufficient resources to a vehicle without fuel.

He provided examples of healthcare interventions, such as supporting dialysis services, that could benefit from dedicated and sustainable financing mechanisms.

The renewed work of the African Commission of Health and Human Rights Promoters will focus primarily on people whose access to healthcare and human rights protections may be impacted by poverty, discrimination, disability, social exclusion, and other vulnerabilities. The organization plans to strengthen research, public education, and advocacy as part of its renewed mandate, working to expand its health and human rights advocacy efforts in Ghana and beyond.