President John Dramani Mahama has urged African leaders and citizens to recommit to the mission and mandate of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, emphasising that this institution remains a cornerstone in the continent’s pursuit of justice, fairness and human dignity. The appeal came during the official opening of the 2026 judicial year of the Court, held on Monday March 2, 2026 in Arusha Tanzania, a city President Mahama described as “a symbol of human rights affirmation.”
Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony, President Mahama said the moment presents a critical opportunity for Africa to deepen its commitment to human rights, both in letter and in spirit. “The time is now. Now is the time for us to meet the challenge of keeping the promises we have made to future generations promises we have signed and pledged to uphold,” he declared, calling on governments across the continent to strengthen their support for the Court and its work.
The inauguration also doubled as the launch of celebrations marking the Court’s 20th anniversary, reflecting two decades of ongoing efforts to protect civil, political, economic and social rights across African Union member states. President Mahama highlighted that the African human rights architecture, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, was a hallmark achievement of Pan-Africanism that must be fiercely defended and advanced.
This year’s theme, “20 Years of Service in Protecting Human and Peoples’ Rights in Africa,” underlines the Court’s role in interpreting and applying continental human rights treaties and its growing jurisprudence in areas ranging from freedom of expression and access to justice, to reparations and accountability for violations.
President Mahama’s invitation to preside over the opening marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time a sitting President of Ghana has been invited to address the African Court at the opening of its judicial year. His participation signifies Ghana’s enduring commitment to upholding international norms of human rights and strengthening continental judicial institutions.
Speaking in Arusha ahead of the ceremony, President Mahama underlined that strong and independent institutions, especially those charged with safeguarding rights and freedoms, are indispensable to Africa’s democratic progress. He also used the occasion to call for enhanced cooperation among African Union member states to ensure that the promises enshrined in the African Charter are matched by concrete action on the ground.
While in Tanzania, President Mahama was received by senior officials including Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, reflecting strong diplomatic ties between the two countries. His visit also provided a platform for bilateral talks on broader issues of mutual interest, including the rule of law, regional cooperation and strategies to sustain respect for human rights across Africa.
Senior Ghanaian government representatives, including members of the judiciary and presidential advisory teams, accompanied President Mahama to the event, signalling Ghana’s shared sense of responsibility in promoting human rights and institutional effectiveness across the continent.
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, established under the protocol to the African Charter, has jurisdiction to hear cases pertaining to alleged violations of the Charter and other human rights instruments. Over the past two decades, it has delivered judgments and advisory opinions that have shaped continental standards on human rights and increased access to justice for individuals and communities.
In calling for renewed commitment, President Mahama’s remarks resonate with wider continental efforts to fortify judicial systems, uphold the rule of law and ensure that human rights are not merely abstract ideals but lived realities for all Africans. His appeal came at a time when human rights institutions face both internal and external pressures, making collective action and political will all the more essential for sustained progress.