CCF-OSIWA project will strengthen Ghana’s social protection system-CHRAJ Boss expresses confidence

The Commissioner on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Joseph Whittal has expressed confidence in the partnership between Crime Check Foundation (CCF) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) dubbed ‘Decriminalizing Vagrancy Laws and Advocacy’ in strengthening Ghana’s weak social protection systems to safeguard rights of the poor.

According to Mr. Whittal, the country’s weak Social Protection System has led to the oppression of the less privileged in society due to their status.

The Decriminalizing Vagrancy Laws & Advocacy (DVLA) project seeks to create an enabling environment for vagrants to know, claim and exercise their rights and responsibilities in Ghana.

Through its programmes, the project will increase public awareness, monitoring and engagements on vagrancy laws.

During a courtesy call on the Commission by CCF led by its Executive Director, Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng to solicit its support, the Commissioner bemoaned the use of Colonial draconian laws to imprison vagrants instead of putting in place measures to protect their rights under a robust social protection system. He however indicated that the Commission is pushing hard to expunge such arbitrary laws from the statute books of the country.

 “Vagrancy, to say the least is not an offence. Petty offences are not real offences but it is society that is making those people who they are so let us see how we can build a better social protection system rather than using legal re-engineering as a basis for keeping people who are poor from who they are. So your advocacy is spot on.” He said.

The CHRAJ boss pledged the Commission’s collaboration to ensure a successful implementation of the project to protect rights of vagrants.

“If we have failed to strengthen our social protection system, we don’t turn to the victims and say they are at fault so we are putting you in jail. The basis of what you are doing in terms of your project is all spot on. The Commission is ready to work with you and you are welcome in any manner or form you want us to cooperate.” He assured.

The Executive Director of CCF, Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng urged CHRAJ to continue to fight for people whose rights are abused. “Some of these vagrants are maimed though it is not their fault for committing such offences. MMDAs shirk their responsibilities for providing amenities for residents; as a result the poor fall fowl of the law and are fined outrageously or imprisoned. We hope you will continue to seek redress for people whose rights are abused.” He said.

As part of the implementation of the project, CCF has sensitized One Thousand Two Hundred vagrants on the bye-laws of the various select Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA’s).

About OSIWA

The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), established in 2000, is a grant-making and advocacy organization focused on equality, justice, democratic governance, human rights, and knowledge generation.  It is part of the global network of Open Society Foundations spread across 37 countries around the world. He said the Assemblies outrageously fine these vagrants for committing petty offences.

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