Africa must build strong institutions to safeguard human rights — Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has called on African nations to prioritize the strengthening of democratic institutions as a fundamental strategy for protecting human rights, maintaining constitutional order, and ensuring sustainable political stability across the continent.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, President Mahama emphasized that Africa’s historical experiences with political instability, coups, and constitutional disruptions underscore the urgent need for resilient institutions capable of safeguarding citizens’ freedoms.

According to him, the protection of human rights cannot be guaranteed through political rhetoric alone but must be anchored in strong, independent, and impartial institutions that operate above partisan influence.

“Our continent’s history teaches us that justice cannot be left to chance,” President Mahama stated. “Justice must be deliberately constructed, carefully protected, and firmly rooted in institutions that are independent, impartial, and resilient to political interference.”

The Ghanaian leader used his keynote address to draw a connection between personal history and broader continental governance challenges. He recounted how the detention of his father following Ghana’s 1966 military coup shaped his lifelong commitment to justice, due process, and democratic accountability.

“I remain the child whose father was detained for serving his country and advising its leader,” he said, describing how early exposure to political instability deepened his appreciation for the fragility of fundamental rights in environments where institutional safeguards are weak.

He further noted that violations of justice against individuals have far-reaching social consequences.

“When injustice is visited upon one person, it does not end with that individual,” Mahama said. “It reverberates through families, communities, and sometimes across generations.”

President Mahama stressed that Africa’s future development is intrinsically linked to the strength of its democratic governance architecture. He urged African governments to invest in judicial independence, strengthen constitutional courts, and empower continental institutions tasked with monitoring human rights compliance.

He particularly praised the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, describing it as a critical continental mechanism for protecting citizens from abuses of power and ensuring that states remain accountable to the principles of the Banjul Charter.

“For me, this is not an abstract legal discussion,” he said. “It is about ensuring that no African child grows up witnessing injustice without access to remedy or protection under the law.”

Civil society observers and legal scholars present at the event described the address as a strong reaffirmation of Africa’s commitment to democratic governance and human rights protection. Analysts noted that Mahama’s remarks reflected a broader continental debate about balancing sovereignty with supranational judicial accountability.

The event brought together African heads of state, senior judges, international diplomats, and human rights advocates who gathered to commemorate two decades of the African Court’s contribution to the advancement of justice on the continent.