The United States has flagged Ghana for what it describes as a "recurring disregard" for constitutional protections, highlighting a range of significant issues in its 2024 Human Rights Report.

While acknowledging that there were no major changes in the overall situation, the report raises serious concerns about arbitrary arrests, restrictions on media freedom, and the government's limited action to hold abusive officials accountable.

The report serves as a critical examination of Ghana’s democratic health, pointing to a troubling trend of powerful individuals acting with impunity and a legal system that, at times, fails to protect ordinary citizens.

Media Under Threat: A Culture of Impunity

The report singles out the safety of journalists as a primary concern, citing credible incidents of violence and harassment that have led to self-censorship.

A notable case highlighted is the assault on Citi FM/TV correspondent Mohammed Alabira by Farouk Aliu Mahama, the former Member of Parliament for Yendi, and his supporters on January 27. The assault occurred as Alabira was reporting live from a political primary that turned violent.

Despite a strong condemnation from the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), which called for Mahama’s immediate arrest and prosecution, the U.S. report notes that no arrests or charges had been made against the parliamentarian as of year’s end. This lack of accountability for a high-profile assault is a major point of criticism.

Furthermore, the report details how politically aligned media organisations and smaller outlets are particularly vulnerable, with journalists reportedly engaging in self-censorship to avoid threats, intimidation, and costly legal battles.

Arbitrary Arrests and Lengthy Detentions

Ghana's constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, but the report finds that these protections are often disregarded. Authorities frequently hold individuals for periods longer than the mandated 48 hours without a valid warrant or formal charges.

This leads to a serious problem of lengthy pretrial detention, with some prisoners being held for years, in some cases for a period longer than the maximum sentence for their alleged crime.

The report provides an example of an individual accused of "unnatural carnal knowledge" who was held by police without evidence for a period exceeding the legal limit.

The case was eventually abandoned due to a lack of evidence, but not before the individual was subjected to prolonged, illegal detention. Factors contributing to these delays include police failure to follow up on cases, lost files, and a lack of access to affordable legal representation for most detainees.

Arbitrary Arrests and Lengthy Detentions

The report also scrutinises Ghana's labour sector, where laws are often on the books but not effectively enforced. It notes that while freedom of association and collective bargaining are legally protected, unions face exorbitant fees for registration and renewal.

The right to strike is also restricted for workers in sectors deemed "essential services" by the government, a definition that is far broader than international labour standards.

Wage and hour laws are widely flouted. The national minimum wage of 18.15 cedis ($1.27) is not effectively enforced across the formal and informal economies.

The report also highlights pervasive issues with occupational safety and health (OSH) standards, particularly in the mining sector, where illegal practices continue unchecked due to what civil society groups describe as corruption and lax enforcement.

The government’s labour inspectorate is described as poorly trained and understaffed, with little power to impose sanctions on violators.