A 2-Day Workshop Training for M-Watches and M-Friends and a-day for

Community Engagement with Community people on Human Rights

(Reducing Human Rights Related Barriers to F S W / M S M/ HIV/TB Services)

7TH - 8TH February 2019

Akim Oda Municipal Health Directorate Conference Hall

Akim Oda

Presented by WiLDAF Ghana

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 Table of Contents
1. BASIC INFORMATION ........................................................................................................ 3
2. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 5
3. Part One ................................................................................................................................... 6
Session One: Introduction to Human Rights ............................................................................... 6
Session Two: Human Rights in the Ghanaian Constitution in Relation to Key Populations ..... 8
Session Three: Accessing Justice and Protecting the Rights of Key Population to Reduce HIV
Risk............................................................................................................................................ 10
Session Four: The Ghana AIDs Act .......................................................................................... 11
Recap Sessions .......................................................................................................................... 14
4. Actions by Peer Educators (P. E) .......................................................................................... 14
5. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................ 15
6. Second Part ........................................................................................................................ 15
Quarterly Orientation with Paralegals, Peer Educators and Community Members to Stop AIDS
................................................................................................................................................... 15
7. Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 18
8. Recommendation ................................................................................................................... 18

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 1. BASIC INFORMATION

Region of Activity Eastern Region

District Akim Oda ( Brimi Central )
Venue Akim Oda Municipal Health Directorate Conference
Hall
Title of Activity 2-Days Workshop Training for M-Watches and M-
Friends on Human Rights
Date 7th and 8th February, 2019
Kind of activity (rights awareness, Capacity Building Training Workshop
empowerment, capacity building, advocacy,
learn and share, staff meeting etc.)
Objective of the Activity The overall objective of the workshop is to
Specifically:

1) Increase the knowledge of participants on the

origin and the overview of human rights.
2) Increase the knowledge of participants on the
various provisions of human rights in the
Ghanaian Laws.
3) Increase the knowledge of participants on how to
use human rights approaches in addressing
barrier to services.
4) Increase the knowledge of participants on the
various advocacy strategies.
5) Increase knowledge of participants on the
various provisions of human rights in the
Ghanaian Constitution for key population.
6) Increase the knowledge of participants on the
Laws and rights of Key Populations in the
Context of HIV and AIDS
7) Increase the knowledge of participants on the
various provisions that protect the rights of key
Populations and Access to justice to Reduce HIV
Risk.

Expected output/s of Activity  Built the capacity of 32 participants as M-

Watches and M-Friends on Human
Rights.
 Increase knowledge of M-Watches and
M-Friends on basic human right laws in
Ghana.

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Methodology/ies used for the Activity
Description of participants
Data on Participants
List of topics discussed by Resource Persons
Selected Groups
Hand-out given to Participants after the
training
 Participants increased knowledge on
basic legal first aid to use in assisting
abused persons access justice.
 M-Watches and M-Friends also
highlighted on some various provisions
of human rights in the Ghanaian
Constitution for key population.
a. Brainstorming
b. Role Plays
c. Brain Teasers
d. Preliminary discussions
e. Case Studies
f. Ice Breakers/Energizers
g. Dialogue or in-depth discussion
h. Experience sharing
Beneficiaries of PRO-LINK, CHRAJ, GAC and
Social Welfare
Men Women
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 About the Project
 About WiLDAF Ghana
 Introduction to Human Rights
 Human Rights in the Ghanaian Constitution
(Chapter 5)
 Laws and rights of sex workers in the context
of HIV and AIDS
 Using human rights-based approaches to
address barriers of services on key
populations
 Accessing justice and protecting the rights of
key population to reduce HIV risk
1. PRO-LINKS
 Introduction to Human Rights
 Constitution: Chapter 5: Fundamental
Human Rights and Freedoms
 Ghana Aids Commission Act, 2016; pgs. 12-
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  Criminal Code and Offences Acts

2. Introduction

It is with this concern that WiLDAF Ghana, in collaboration with a WAPCAS (Ghana West Africa

Program to Combat Aids and STI) convened a two-day training workshop for M-Watches, M-

Friends, and a-day for Community Engagement with Community people on Human Rights on

HIV. The 2-days workshop training for M-Watches and M-Friends on Human Rights was a

comprehensive approach to Increase the knowledge of participants on the origin and the overview

of human rights. It began on the 7th to 8th February 2019 at Akim Oda Municipal, Health

Directorate conference hall, Brimi Central. The workshop trained 14 key populations from M-

Watches and M-Friends, CHRAJ and Social welfare. Participants were composed of six (6)

females and eight (8) males. The training workshop was delivered through structured presentations

in PowerPoint, question and answer sessions, deliberation sessions and experience sharing.

The programme started with an opening prayer by Mr. Derrick Addae Gyamfi, an HIV Coordinator

from the Ghana Health Service /Brimi Central Municipal Assembly. Madam Lois Aduamoah

Addo, the Programme Officer for Women in law and Development in Africa Ghana Chapter

(WiLDAF) Ghana, headed the programme.

Prior to the opening session, Madam Lois Aduamoah Addo of WiLDAF’s Ghana welcomed all

participants. She began with a clear notice for the participants fortunate to be part of the first set

of key populations and will be trained by WiLDAF under the Global Fund NFM II project on

human rights. She informed participants on WiLDAF activities in the country as well as aims and

objectives of the organization and assured participants of the knowledge to acquire from the

training. She also urged participants to take the various lessons serious since it is going to empower

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and help them to know their fundamental human rights in their respective communities confronting

them on their day-to-day activities.

Madam Lois Aduamoah-Addo took participants through the overview of the program and the

workshop objectives; participants went on and adopted the program. She started by introducing

her team which included herself Lois Aduamoah Addo the Programme Officer WiLDAF Ghana,

Ms. Catherine Nartey; a Lawyer from FIDA, Mr. Godwin Nartey; a lawyer by Profession and Mr.

Billal Mallam Saani; Supporting Staff of WiLDAF and the participants also took tends to also

introduce their selves.

The programme was in two different folds, the 2-days training Workshop for M-Watches and M-

Friends on human Rights which seeks to address and reduce Human Rights Related Barriers to

FSW, MSM, HIV and TB Services and a Community Visit for Quarterly Orientation with

Paralegals, Peer Educators and Community Members on Stop AIDS.

3. Part One

Session One: Introduction to Human Rights

Activity: Participants brainstormed and dialogued on human rights, the fundamental human rights

and the importance of knowing their rights.

The facilitator, Madam Lois Aduamoah Addo during this session explained in details to

participants what human rights are, Background to human rights, principles of human rights,

classification of human right, types of human rights and understanding the rights of key

populations. She ended her presentation on Introduction to human right by asking participants

whether the rights of key populations is promoted, protected and respected in Ghana.

Questions from Participants and their Responses

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Q) Why do females only report domestic violence issues to CHRAJ but males?

A) that is the problem but it should not be so, domestic violence according to the 1992 constitution

does not only specify or centered on only women but human beings, which consist of both males

and females.

Q) If we have all these rights as key population then why do the police treat us wrongly?

A) Because the key population do not report such cases to the appropriate authority for the
necessary action to be taken.

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Madam Lois Adumoah Addo taking participants through an introduction to human right

Outputs

 Participants gained knowledge on their human rights and the importance of knowing
their rights

 Participants promised to educate communities and other people in their network to

know their rights too

 Participants also promise to report any cases concerning human rights abuse to the
appropriate institutions

 Participants promised to be bold enough to stand for their rights, since they know their
rights

 Participants also promised to report any human right cases to the appropriate authority
such as CHRAJ, POLICE etc.

Session Two: Human Rights in the Ghanaian Constitution in Relation to Key Populations

Activity: Participants discussed the basic human rights in the Ghana constitution and linked it to

issues affecting key populations.

Mr. Godwin Nartey; a Lawyer and a legal practitioner at the Ghana School of Law (Makola)

handled this Session. The facilitator explained in details by showing a video on human right with

30 types of right and included some pictures and visuals. He continued by sharing Ghana’s

commitment on human rights, the human rights provisions in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, how

participants can seek redress for human rights violations and Dos and Don’ts on the work.

Questions from Participants and their Respective Answers

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Q) Is it right for a police officer to have sex with you after arresting?

A) NO is a crime and it can even turned into a rape case.

Q) Can a police officer arrest me for seeing a condom with me?

A) No he cannot because having condom with you does not mean you are an F.S.W.

Q) Where can you report a police officer who arrest and demands sex from you?

A) Report him to CHRAJ, but make sure you have a concrete evidence to back your case.

Mr. Gowin Nartey taken participants (P E) through Human Right in the Ghanaian Constitution
for Key Populations

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 Outputs

 Participants gained knowledge on Human Rights in the Ghanaian Constitution for

Key Population and the importance of knowing their rights

 Participants promised to educate their communities and other people in their

network to know their rights and how to seek for redress.

 Participants also promise to report cases concerning Human Rights violation to the
Sessionappropriate Authority
Three: Accessing Justice and Protecting the Rights of Key Population to Reduce
HIV Risk
 Participant promised to be bold enough to stand for their right, since they now know
For this session, the facilitator who is a staff From Commission on Human Right and
their right
Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) named Mr. Shadrack Majisi from the office of CHRAJ New
Juabeng Municipality Assembly took participant through the Mandate of CHRAJ and how they

Session Three: Accessing Justice and Protecting the Rights of Key Population to Reduce

HIV Risk

For this session, the facilitator; a staff from Commission on Human Right and Administrative

Justice (CHRAJ); Mr. Shadrack Majisi from the office of CHRAJ New Juabeng Municipality

Assembly took participant through the Mandate of CHRAJ and how they can access justice from

the institution as key population. Discussion included how the institution handles complaint that

comes from the public, why the establishment of CHRAJ, the roles & responsibilities of the

institution, how to access the CHRAJ online system and how to fill the online complaint form. He

also discussed the three ways to report cases to the organization, which are the walk in, the online

and the short code method (Text message). He concluded by giving some success story on some

cases CHARJ have worked on for Key Population and encouraged participants to use the three (3)

methods mentioned above to report cases to CHRAJ.

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Questions from Participants and their Respective Answers

Q) How can I follow my reported case at CHRAJ?

A) You can have that opportunity on our online page (the home page) of the online reporting

page.

Q) How can CHRAJ help us the Key population?

A) CHRAJ can help the Key Population by reporting cases through the various reporting pages.

Q) How do I report complains to CHRAJ and what is involved?

A) Through the CHRAJ’s online page, text messaging CHRAJ and visiting their offices.

Session Four: The Ghana AIDs Act

During this session, the facilitator explained in details the clauses, clearly defined some key

sections and areas in the Ghana AIDs Act, and again backed it with some practical scenarios.

Some participants also shared their experiences in the hands of the Police, Social Welfare

officers, CHRAJ, Lawyers etc. in their bid to access justice.

For this session the facilitator Ms. Cathriren Nartey took participants through the following

topics such as Human rights of PLHIV/AIDS, Enforcement of Rights, Miscellaneous Matters,

Raped, types of abuses, causes of abused and how to address gender based violence in our

various communities.

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Questions and Responses on Ghana AIDs Act

Q) Some of the Macho (Butch) Men do forced us to have sex with them and they don’t pay for

the services, what should we do?

A) Report them to CHRAJ for rape and they will be allow to face the law.

Q) Can I report someone who accused me of having HIV wrongly?

A) Yes, the person is infringing on your right and the GAC has spelled out it punishment.

Q) Who will pay for the cost if a lawyer should come into my case?

A) WAPCAS has absorbed every cost relating to this programme.

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 Ms Cathriren Nartey taken participants (P E) through Ghana AIDs Act

Outputs

 Participants gained deep knowledge on Ghana AIDs Act

 Participants promised to educate their communities and other people in their

network to know the rights PLHIV. 13

 Participants also promise to report cases concerning Human Rights violation to the
appropriate Authority
Recap Sessions

Before the beginning of the next day’s session, participants were taking through a brief recap

session of what they learnt from their previous training. The main aim of this session was to assess

whether participants really understood the previous day’s session and to clarify points and

statement, which did not go down well with the participants and it, was done by Madam Lois

Aduamoah Addo, the Programme Officer WiLDAF.

4. Actions by Peer Educators (P. E)

The Peer Educators pledged to undertake at least one outreach programme per community on every

meeting with the community. They promised to disseminate the knowledge gained from the

training and also put it in action to undertake community campaigns in their respective

communities to sensitized community members and also help in reducing Human Rights related

barriers to F S W, M S M, PLHIV and TB Services in the community.

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5. METHODOLOGY

I. Ice Breakers/Energizers. Ice breakers/energisers have several uses. They allow

participants to become acquainted with one another, they create a relaxed environment,

and they keep participants engaged and enthusiastic. Ice breakers and energizers engaged

throughout the training programme included games, songs and dances.

II. Brainstorming. This method is useful for gathering opinions and ideas from a group on

a particular issue and for developing definitions. It is an effective tool for group

identification of problems, sources and solutions. Brainstorming was used throughout the

training activity to develop working definitions and to introduce topics.

III. Experience sharing. This is where participants were invited to share their experiences

with right violations (e.g., a healthcare worker’s refusal to provide health service).

Participants’ stories can then be used to frame, and a ground discussion on an issue by the

entire group.

6. Second Part

Quarterly Orientation with Paralegals, Peer Educators and Community Members to Stop AIDS

In this part, the project team visited Old Tafo communities in the Brimi District on 9th of February

2019; they enlightened the communities on some basic Human Right principles in the 1992

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constitution and also sensitized the communities on how to seek for justice. During this visit, the

project team introduced the paralegals to the community members, as they are the first point of

call when issues of such happen and 24 Pro-link members met at the sitter community in the old

Tafo.

Moreover, the community members were given some WAPCAS reporting format on how cases

should be handled from the community level to the national level, which included telephone

numbers of legal officers in the WiLDAF office to help in seeking for redress. Members were

cautioned not to settle human rights cases at home.

Finally, peer educators were also introduced to the community members and were given the

opportunity to ask questions and also shared their experience. Guidelines were given to help the

peer educators and paralegals to be able to apply a firsthand solution of some cases before

forwarding it to the legal officers.

Questions from Participants and their Respective Answers

Q) Can a landlord sack a tenant without given him/her notice?

A) No, the law mandates a landlord to give three (3) months’ notice to a tenant before asking

him/her to leave.

Q) Can we the males also join the group; it seems the opportunity is for only girls?

A) Yes, but for now the programme is only centered on only Key population.

Q) Can I report a case of gender violence when a woman beats her husband?

A) Yes, but most of the males do not report such cases to the right authority.
Q) Can you report a police officer who arrest and beat you?

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A) Yes, you can, but depending on when you resist an arrest the police officer can used
minimum force to arrest you.

Meetings and unveiling of paralegal to the sitter community at Old Tafo in the Brimi Central

Outputs

 Participants gained knowledge on Human Rights in the Ghanaian Constitution and the
importance of knowing their rights

 Participants promised to educate their communities and other people in their network
to know their rights and how to seek for redress.

 Participants also promised to report cases concerning Human Right violation to the
appropriate Authority

 Participant promised to be bold enough to stand for their rights, since they now know
their rights

 Participants gained knowledge on how to use the CHRAJ reporting System to report
cases

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7. Conclusions

Based on this report, several key factors and techniques that contribute to the Reduction of Human

Rights Related Barriers to F S W, M S M, and PLHIV/TB Services for key population from the

perspective of participant have been discussed and the report would like to make the following

conclusions:

 Effective sensitization on basic human right in the 1992 constitution to the community and the

right of key population as well as the Ghana AIDS Act, the Criminal offence act and possible

means of accessing justice and protecting the right of key in the community.

 Loss of trust with the Police Service and other security service authorities in the community as

they end-up violating the right of civilians instated of protecting them.

 It can be concluded that most key populations lack the basic human right knowledge that they

can use as a key to fight for their right and seek for redress.

 It is also observed, that must participants demand money from the facilitators after one to two

hours encounter with the communities.

 Finally, legal proceedings, offences and penalties should strongly addressed in Reduction of

Human Rights Related Barriers to F S W, M S M, and PLHIV/TB Services for key population.

8. Recommendation

Based on the information gathered on the field for the three days visit to Akim Oda in the Brimi

Central and pop up questions, responds and comments from the participant, it can therefore

recommended that

 The Ghana Police service needs to be Effectively sensitized with issues relating to key

population

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 The key population also need to be well equipped with some basic and fundamental

human right in the various communities

 It can also be recommended that, key population especially those in the sitter

communities are always at risk in attracting deadly diseases

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