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Accra, Ghana – The President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa (NNHRI-WA), Prof. Anthony O. Ojukwu, SAN, has called for a stronger African-led approach to human rights protection.
Speaking at the AFBA 2025 Conference held at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Ghana, Prof. Ojukwu emphasized that Africa must shape its own human rights narrative rather than merely adopting global models.
He stated that “Africa” represents more than geography; it embodies diverse states, cultures, laws, and histories.
According to him, this diversity—rooted in colonial legacies, customary systems, and linguistic variations—demands a contextual approach to human rights enforcement.
Understanding the African Human Rights System
Prof. Ojukwu explained that Africa’s human rights framework reflects both international standards and local realities.
He highlighted that it comprises multiple components, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Commission, and the African Court.
He noted that these institutions collectively protect civil, political, social, and economic rights.
However, he warned that implementation faces major obstacles, including weak enforcement, limited resources, and insufficient political will.
He pointed out that while many African countries ratified the African Charter, fewer have accepted the African Court’s jurisdiction.
“This gap,” he said, “creates tension between global norms and local legal traditions.”
He urged African states to strengthen domestic systems to ensure that continental decisions are implemented effectively.
Global Influence and Its Impact
Prof. Ojukwu examined how global influence shapes African human rights policies, identified international treaties, United Nations bodies, and donor conditions as major sources of pressure and reform.
He noted that these global forces can promote accountability but may also conflict with African values and priorities.
He observed that during the Cold War, foreign governments supported authoritarian regimes for political gain.
He added that such historical patterns still echo in modern aid and diplomacy, where donor conditionalities often serve political interests.
While acknowledging the positive role of global advocacy, he warned that external influence must align with Africa’s social and cultural context.
He stressed that human rights progress should come through partnership, not imposition.
The Role of Civil Society and Global Advocacy
Prof. Ojukwu praised transnational civil society networks for amplifying human rights awareness across Africa.
He cited organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for their contributions to monitoring abuses.
He noted that global activism complements African institutions by empowering local voices and mobilizing public opinion.
He further observed that media, education, and community engagement play vital roles in spreading human rights values.
“These connections,” he said, “build a culture of accountability and strengthen Africa’s human rights foundations.”
African Response and Innovation
Prof. Ojukwu described Africa’s response to global human rights norms as creative and independent.
He explained that regional and sub-regional institutions—such as the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities—have adapted universal principles to African realities.
He emphasized that Africa’s human rights model is not an imitation but an innovation shaped by history and culture.
He cited the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (1981) as a landmark instrument blending global and African values.
The Charter, he said, expanded traditional rights by adding “Peoples’ Rights” such as self-determination, resource control, and cultural development.
He added that it also introduced duties to family, society, and state, reflecting the African philosophy of Ubuntu and collective responsibility.
“The African Charter,” he explained, “turns human rights from a purely individual concept into a community-based vision.”
Strengthening Institutions and Enforcement
Prof. Ojukwu stressed the importance of strong institutions for sustaining human rights.
He pointed to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights as a central body that monitors compliance and interprets the Charter.
He also highlighted the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which delivers binding judgments to strengthen enforcement.
He explained that some states remain hesitant to grant individuals and NGOs direct access to the Court.
“This hesitation,” he said, “reflects the balance between sovereignty and accountability in Africa’s legal systems.”
Balancing Global and Local Realities
Prof. Ojukwu argued that Africa’s engagement with global human rights norms has evolved beyond imitation.
He said the continent now contributes meaningfully to international discourse through its hybrid systems and jurisprudence.
He described Africa’s approach as “contextual universalism”—the adaptation of universal principles to regional realities without compromising dignity.
He noted that Africa’s experience proves that effective human rights systems emerge from dialogue between international standards and local values.
He called this dialogue “a necessary bridge between law, culture, and community.”
Looking Ahead
In his conclusion, Prof. Ojukwu urged African states to keep refining their human rights systems to reflect evolving realities.
He encouraged stronger political commitment, adequate funding, and public participation in rights protection.
He warned that external funding and global recognition must not overshadow local ownership.
“Africa’s human rights future,” he said, “depends on our ability to merge universal values with our shared cultural identity.”
He called for cooperation between states, civil society, and continental institutions to strengthen justice, equality, and accountability.
Prof. Ojukwu ended by asserting that Africa’s model offers lessons to the world.
“It shows,” he concluded, “that universal human dignity can thrive when grounded in local context and collective values.”
Below is the full presentation.
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