Over one thousand staff of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) have embarked on an unprecedented nationwide health walk as part of activities to commemorate its 30th Anniversary.
This monumental event took place simultaneously in all sixteen (16) regions of Ghana on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
The exercise was underscored by the need to increase awareness of human rights issues, educate the public about their rights, freedoms, and responsibilities, and encourage the reporting of corruption and administrative misconduct in Ghana. In addition, the walk was also geared towards showcasing CHRAJ’s achievements in promoting fundamental human rights, ethical governance, and sustainable development.
The Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr. Joseph Whittal, interacting with the media, indicated that the focus of the activity was not to only promote a healthy lifestyle among staff, but to also enhance the visibility of the Commission locally and internationally.
Stressing on the need for individuals to adopt healthy lifestyles, Mr. Whittal indicated that prioritization of education in Ghana among others was not bad, but advised that it was about time government prioritized health, since health is a human right. He was emphatic, that an educated person who had health issues, and for that matter unhealthy, could not contribute effectively and efficiently towards national development.
Commissioner Whittal, however, stressed that the health walk, among other things, aimed to complement the Commission’s public education efforts on issues of human rights, corruption, and administrative injustice with specific reference to the mandates, achievements, and services provided by CHRAJ in all the 16 administrative regions over the past thirty (30) years.
He further stated that the exercise also provided a unique opportunity to sensitize the general public on their fundamental human rights, freedoms, and responsibilities with emphasis on the importance of upholding these rights in all aspects of their lives.
The activity, in effect, served as a platform to reiterate the Commission’s commitment to its mission of promoting and protecting human rights and ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
CHRAJ is celebrating three decades of advancing the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms of all persons living in Ghana, ensuring effective and efficient public service delivery, and upholding the fight against corruption.
The theme for the Anniversary is: “CHRAJ at 30: Promoting and Protecting Human Rights and Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Public Service Delivery”.
