By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, June 13, GNA – Dr Joseph Whittal, the Commissioner of CHRAJ, has handed over as President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa (NNHRI-WA).
After serving two terms in office, from 2019 to 2025, he ushered in Dr Anthony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, National Human Rights Commission Nigeria, as the new President at a brief ceremony in Accra on Friday.
Dr Whittal urged the new leadership to improve the gains of the regional body, and focus on pressing human rights issues, including democratic governance, migration, detention and reparative justice.
He highlighted strengthening the Network’s financial position, review and adoption of a new constitution, provision of administrative space and institutional support, among other initiatives, as some achievements under his tenure.
In spite of challenges in the early years, Dr Whittal said the Network continued to pursue its objective of becoming a respected voice for human rights in West Africa while strengthening collaboration among Human Rights Institutions.
Commending the ECOWAS Commission and partners for supporting NNHRI-WA, he tasked the Network to maintain financial sustainability and explore self-funding strategies.
“I encourage the preservation of the rotation of regional consultation and General Assemblies, which has enhanced ownership and inclusion within the Network.
“Leadership is temporal but institutions endure. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I leave this office confident that the foundation laid during the period will support greater progress in the years ahead,” he said.
Dr Ojukwu commended his predecessor for steering affairs of the Network, pledging to sustain the momentum together with other executives and staff.
He emphasised mutual respect and cooperation, capacity building, sub-regional monitoring, collaboration with bilateral partners and institutions, documentation and reporting, as part of his vision for the Network.
“We shall set up a sub-regional Situation Room and Data Centre to help see the human right situation in West Africa at a glance…
“With the changing nature of international development aid and the challenges of the international rule-based system, it seems this vision is already daunting and challenging but I know with your support, we will surmount and our Network will grow from strength to strength,” Dr Ojukwu said.
Mr Ebenezer Aseidu, the Head of Democracy and Good Governance, ECOWAS Commission, pledged the orgainsation’s support for the Network, and urged the new leadership to continue to enhance the capacity of member state institutions.
The NNHRI-WA started operating in 2007 under the ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance to enable National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa to effectively undertake their mandate of human rights monitoring, promotion, protection and advocacy.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Writer: Ernest Nutsugah
Email: [email protected]