I am pleased to welcome you to the online resource  of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Ghana. Established in 1993 by its enabling legislation Act 456 pursuant to Article 216 of the 1992 Constitution, the Commission serves as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI); the Public Services Ombudsman (administrative justice) and an  Anti-corruption agency and ethics office for the public sector. The Commission has offices in all 10 administrative regions of the Republic of Ghana, two sub-regional, and 100 district offices.

Under the broad mandate of the Commission, it performs several functions. Some of these include investigating complaints of violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, injustice, corruption, abuse of power, breaches of the  code of conduct for public officers  and unfair treatment of any person by a public officer in the exercise of his/her official duties. The Commission also investigates all instances of alleged or suspected corruption and the misappropriation of public monies by officials and takes appropriate steps, including reports to the Attorney-General and the Auditor-General, resulting from such investigations.

The Commission is one of the State agencies mandated to promote integrity and ensure good public service delivery in Ghana. It contributes to the promotion of high ethics and integrity in public service, and enforces compliance with the ethical standards contained in the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

As the Public Services Ombudsman of Ghana, the Commission investigates complaints brought against all public service institutions including all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of State (MDAs) at Central Government level, all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and Regional Coordinating Councils at the Local Government level. Complaints against the Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Prison Service, the Ghana Fire Service are also investigated by the Commission.

The Commission has a public education function through which it enlightens the general public on its broad mandates. By this, the Commission keeps its publics abreast of all activities and explores avenues to promote and protect fundamental human rights and freedoms, ensure fairness and accountability in the public sector, as well as stem the tide of corruption and other administrative injustices in Ghana.

We have subpoena powers to require an institution or person to submit information, documents, records or other materials that will assist in our investigations. We could also require any institution or person to appear before us to assist in our investigations. The 1992 Constitution also grants us power to go to court to seek remedies, including compliance with our recommendations.

The Commission gives opportunity to everybody who comes before it to present his or her case through a process that is fair and just. We strive at all times to ensure transparency and the application of best practices, upholding a culture of respect for the rights and obligations of all persons living in Ghana.

The Commission has chalked some remarkable successes since its inception and every staff member is working even harder to achieve more.

We are happy to have you here, and invite you to visit us regularly. Kindly note that we cherish your feedback, and warmly look forward to hearing from you through any of our contacts. Alternatively, you could walk into any of our offices across the country and our officers would gladly assist you. Our services are free, empowering, and accessible to all.

JOSEPH WHITTAL

COMMISSIONER

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