Parliament Must Anchor Democracy in Human Rights Protection, Says Wa West MP

Constitutional duty to protect citizens' dignity and freedoms

Parliament has been called upon to maintain human rights as a cornerstone of Ghana's democratic governance and inclusive development. Making the call on the floor of Parliament to mark the International Day of Parliamentarianism on 30 June, Member of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, emphasised that Parliament has a constitutional responsibility to protect the dignity, freedoms and rights of all Ghanaians. The annual observance, established by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and backed by the United Nations, was marked under the theme "Bring Human Rights into Focus."

Mr Toobu noted that Parliament serves not only as a law-making body but as a guardian of constitutional liberties and the social contract between the State and its citizens. Since the Fourth Republic, he said, Parliament has advanced human rights through landmark legislation including the Children's Act, Domestic Violence Act, Human Trafficking Act, Persons with Disabilities Act, Mental Health Act, Right to Information Act, Data Protection Act, the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, and the Affirmative and Gender Equity Act.

The legislator stressed that emerging challenges such as poverty, inequality, insecurity, climate change and rapid digital transformation demand that Parliament ensure development and national security measures do not undermine human dignity and inclusion. He highlighted the establishment of Parliament's Committee on Human Rights in 2024 as evidence of the House's commitment to promoting and protecting citizens' rights, with the committee mandated to scrutinise legislation for compliance with international human rights standards and collaborate with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).

Parliament is currently considering the Community Service Bill, 2026, which seeks to reduce congestion in correctional facilities whilst promoting inmate welfare. Mr Toobu called for stronger, more responsive and inclusive parliamentary institutions capable of addressing contemporary challenges, urging Parliament to strengthen public confidence in democratic institutions by ensuring transparency and accessibility, particularly for women, young people, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups.