The country in brief
The country's law, area by area
Marriage, partnership and divorce
Marriage · Partnerships and cohabitation · Same-sex marriage · Religious ceremony · Wedding customs and ceremonies · Matrimonial property and inheritance · Divorce
Children, family and inheritance
Names · Adoption · Assisted reproduction · Childcare · Step-families · Inheritance
Contraception, abortion, sexuality and drugs
Contraception · Abortion · Parents: a teenager’s first relationship · Sexual orientation · Drugs and controlled substances · Alcohol and tobacco
Violence, consent and sexual offences
Consent and age of consent · Domestic violence · Female genital mutilation · Sexual offences committed abroad
Online: privacy, image, data and scams
Data protection · Privacy · Image rights · Speech and online harassment · Copyright · Identity theft · Online shopping · Romance scams
Health: pregnancy, STIs and care
Pregnancy · Periods and period products · Mental health · Dental care · HIV and AIDS · Hepatitis B · HPV
Fundamental rights
Key points
| Constitution | Chapter 5, fundamental human rights and freedoms |
|---|---|
| Article 33 | Direct application to the High Court |
| CHRAJ | Investigates free of charge; findings enforceable through the courts |
| Supreme Court | Exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional interpretation |
| ECOWAS Court | Direct individual access without exhausting local remedies |
| CHRAJ enforcement | Findings can be enforced through the courts |
Understanding the rules
Chapter 5 of the Constitution guarantees fundamental human rights, and Article 33 allows any person who alleges a violation to apply directly to the High Court, which has wide remedial powers. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice investigates complaints against public bodies and officials, free of charge, and can bring proceedings to enforce its findings.
Chapter 5 of Ghana's 1992 Constitution sets out the fundamental human rights and freedoms, and anyone alleging a breach may apply directly to the High Court for redress — a straightforward route that does not require exhausting other remedies first. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice provides a free alternative, investigating complaints against public bodies and officials.
In practice
- Start with CHRAJ: it is free, nationwide, and its findings are enforceable.
Where to go
- Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice.
- Legal Aid Commission.
Worth knowing
CHRAJ is free and has offices across the country, which makes it the realistic first step for most people; the High Court route is available in parallel. CHRAJ combines free access with enforceable outcomes, which is unusual. It should be the first step for any complaint against a public body.
Frequently asked questions
How do you enforce a constitutional right in Ghana?
By applying to the High Court under the enforcement provision of the Constitution, which can grant declarations, injunctions and damages. Questions of constitutional interpretation go to the Supreme Court. The High Court route is direct and does not require going through other remedies first.
What does the human rights commission do?
It investigates complaints of human rights violations, administrative injustice and corruption by public officials, free of charge, and can mediate or bring proceedings. It is the practical first step for most people, because litigation is expensive.
The general article: Fundamental rights · Compare with another country
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Advice
Sources
Whole page
- Acts (Parliament of Ghana) — Parlement du Ghana, accessed 2026
Fundamental rights
- The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992: Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms — Judicial Service of Ghana, 1992
Official or institutional documents this page relies on, consulted on 12 October 2026. Links open in a new tab.
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