The Legal Resources Centre (LRC) in collaboration with Women and Minor’s Rights Committee of the Ghana Bar Association, has started a campaign to sensitise Ghanaians on relevant laws related to human rights.
The focus is on the rights of women and children.
The campaign aimed at reaching out to some communities within Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions.
The programme would cover Bole and Sawla Tuna Kalba districts of the Northern Region, Poyentanga and Busah communities of the Upper West region and Bongo, Anafo, Soe and Tingre of the Upper East Region.
As part of the campaign, access to legal aid and radio interviews were conducted on three radio stations in each of the three regions.
Ms Daphne Lariba Nabila, LRC Executive Director, affirmed the need for non-governmental organisations to show commitment to the realisation of human dignity by building human rights capacities, conducting research, advocacy and advisory services including legal aid for individuals, organisations and communities.
She said knowing one`s rights is a panacea to curtail human right abuses.
She said when one`s rights are violated, avenues such as the Legal Aid Scheme, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, National Commission for Civic Education and Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection could be resorted to in order to access legal assistance.
Ms Nabila explained that regarding the relevant laws relating to spousal rights one could access the government sponsored Legal Aid Scheme offices in the regions, despite the apparent challenge of getting more lawyers to assist individuals.
She said private established organisations such as the Legal Resources Centre equally offers legal aid and entreated the public to patronise such services.
Touching on issues of HIV and AIDS infection, she said it is an offence for a spouse with knowledge of his/her status to infect his/her partner.
She sensitised the public on the Intestate Succession law under the PNDC law 111 and the benefits.
Nana Ishmael Ogyefo, Sawla District Coordinating Director, indicated that the sensitisation exercise was necessary.
He explained that rights, though non-negotiable, go with responsibilities and so, people should endeavour to blend the two to ensure peace.
Source: http://www.ghananewsagency.org/social/legal-resources-centre-schools-gender-advocates–106705
