A/HRC/8/52
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previous response of Ghana at the universal periodic review session held in May 2008, and
reiterated the fact that this was an entrenched provision in the Constitution that required a
referendum before it could be amended. In the interim, the Government would continue to
maintain the de facto moratorium on the application of the death penalty.
662. Regarding the enactment of the Freedom of Information Bill, Ghana shared the view of
those who had made the recommendation for such a law, that it was important and that it was
intended to consolidate democracy. It was with this mind that the Right to Information Bill was
being prepared within the framework of ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders.
663. With regard to the recommendation concerning the implementation of measures to abolish
polygamy in Ghana, in accordance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, Ghana informed the Council that there were three forms of
marriage in the country: the ordinance marriage, the customary law marriage and Islamic
marriage. With the exception of ordinance marriage, the other forms of marriage were in
conformity with the customs and traditions of Ghana. With regard to faith-based marriages,
chapter 5 of the Constitution guaranteed freedom of religion. There was therefore a problem in
abolishing the practice since it would be an infringement of the right to practise one’s faith.
664. The recommendation on combating discrimination against minority groups, immigrants
and children with disabilities was found to be rather curious, and Ghana was therefore not able to
accept it, given that the situation that the Government was required to fight against did not even
exist. The Constitution of Ghana guaranteed the protection of rights of all individuals and groups
resident within its territory and, for that matter, all acts that tended to deny any such individual or
group of people their inalienable rights could be sanctioned. Ghana continued to host a large
number of immigrants, including those who had fled their countries as a result of social unrest,
economic deprivation or otherwise, and who, over the years, had come to consider Ghana their
home. Such people were guaranteed their rights as long as they abided by the rules and
regulations that contributed to making the country a safe haven for both its citizens and
foreigners. The Disability Act and the Children’s Act had both been passed to protect the rights
of children with disabilities.
2.
Views expressed by member and observer States of
the Council on the review outcome
665. Algeria congratulated Ghana on the comments and responses made to the
recommendations put forward during the session of the Working Group and was encouraged by
the willingness of Ghana to implement its human rights obligations notwithstanding the
challenges the country faces, particularly in the area of development. Algeria reiterated the
appeal it made during the session of the Working Group to provide assistance to Ghana so that it
can continue to improve its human rights. Algeria appreciated that Ghana had accepted Algeria’s
recommendation regarding women’s rights and also appreciated Ghana’s willingness to improve
the quality of its educational system, to increase the school enrolment rate and fill the gap
between boys and girls in the field of education, despite significant challenges. Algeria
encouraged Ghana to continue its work and the Council to adopt the outcome of this review.
666. Luxembourg indicated that the spirit of dialogue and cooperation shown by Ghana was
welcomed. The commitments of Ghana made with regard to the recommendations were also
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