CHRAJ – NATURE AND PROCEDURE

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) was enacted by Act 456 of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and was established for the protection and promotion of human rights in Ghana.

It was therefore passed by parliament and received Presidential assent on July 6, 1993. The Commission consists of a Commissioner and two deputies. The current Commissioner of CHRAJ is Mr. Emile Francis Short and his deputies are: Madam Anna Bossman, in charge of Legal and Investigations and Mr. Richard Ackom Quayson, who is also in charge of Public Education and Anti-corruption.

United Nation has urged states to set up institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights. The 1992 constitution of Ghana however, provides for the establishment of the Commission.

The commission is entrusted to investigate and remedy complaints of the following nature:

 To investigate cases of violation of fundamental rights and freedoms, injustice, corruption, abuse of power and unfair treatment of any person by a public officer in the exercise of his official duties.

 To investigate complaints concerning the functioning of the public services commission and the administrative organs of the state.

 To educate the public as to human rights and freedoms by such means as the Commissioner may decide.

 It is also responsible for investigating instances of alleged or suspected corruption and the misappropriation of public funds (moneys) by officials and takes appropriate action.




APPOINTMENT

 The President, in consultation with the Council of State appoints the Commissioner and his two deputies. They are not to hold any other public office while serving their term.

 The Commissioner and his deputies enjoy terms and conditions of service as that of the Justice of Court of Appeal and High Court respectively.

 They are also supposed to cease to hold office upon attaining the ages of seventy and sixty-five years respectively.

 Moreover, where a Commissioner or a deputy dies, resigns or is removed from office, the President shall, acting in consultation with the Council of State, appoint a person qualified to perform those functions until a new Commissioner or deputy is appointed.

HOW A COMPLAINT IS LODGED AT CHRAJ

 A written complaint addressed to the commission including name and address of both the petitioner and respondent with postal and residential address and telephone number if any.

 The nature of the complaint and all relevant documents should be signed by the complainant or his agent.

 Where the complaint is made orally, it shall be reduced into writing by the officer at the registry of the commission or its branch to whom the complaint is made.

The commission has offices in all the Regions and Districts throughout the country. Anyone wishing to lodge a complaint with the commission can do so either orally or submit a written document to any of the offices nearest to his/her locality.