On Thursday, 7th May 2026, Merton & Everett LLP was honoured to attend the official launch of Amnesty International’s 2025/26 Human Rights and Death Penalty Reports at the Accra City Hotel. Representatives of the firm joined a distinguished gathering of government officials, the judiciary, media, and civil society organisations to engage in a critical dialogue on the state of justice in Ghana and the world.
A Platform for Dialogue and Action:
The event provided an essential platform to review the key findings and recommendations of the 2025/26 reports. For Merton & Everett LLP, the invitation underscored our ongoing contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights and our commitment to strengthening collaboration on issues of equality and non-discrimination.
The State of Human Rights in Ghana: 2025–2026
The newly released assessment of Ghana’s human rights actions in Amnesty International’s The State of the World’s Human Rights paints a picture of a nation at a crossroads. Following the return of President John Dramani Mahama to power in early 2025, the country has seen some legal movements, including a constitutional review and the pardon of nearly 1,000 inmates to address prison overcrowding.
However, The State of the World’s Human Rights (Ghana) report highlights several human rights hurdles that require urgent attention from the legal community and the state:
- Attacks on Journalism: Media professionals continue to face physical violence, with notable assaults occurring during local elections and while reporting on sensitive issues such as illegal mining.
- Vulnerable Populations: Concerns remain regarding resistant gender-focused harmful traditional practices, such as witchcraft accusations and the continued practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in certain regions despite its prohibition.
- Restrictive Legislation: The reintroduction of the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values bill poses a significant threat to the rights of persons who identify as LGBTI+ individuals, seeking to criminalise diverse gender identities, advocacy, funding or support with prison terms.
- Strained Healthcare: Abrupt cuts in foreign aid have left a USD 156 million funding shortfall, severely impacting maternal and rural health services across the country.
At the forefront of legal advocacy in Ghana, Merton & Everett LLP has spearheaded several human rights litigations aimed at securing accountability and protecting fundamental freedoms. The firm’s work spans areas of civil expression, international human rights law, and environmental justice.
Defending Freedom of Expression and Assembly:
Merton & Everett LLP serves as counsel for Democracy Hub in a case before the High Court. This litigation arose from the “Occupy Julorby House” demonstration in September 2023, where protesters were arrested, physically assaulted and subjected to degrading treatment by the police. Merton & Everett LLP is seeking human rights declarations, damages, and broader accountability for the actions that occurred and the infringement of the protesters rights.
Protecting the Rights of Refugees and Migrants:
The firm is also the lead counsel in a significant challenge before Ghana’s Supreme Court regarding a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Ghana and the United States that allowed Ghana to receive West African migrants deported from the US and further transfer them to their home countries. The case is challenging the legality of such an agreement as it did not receive parliamentary ratification and touches on several international law principles such as the principle of non-refoulement and treaties including the Convention Against torture (CAT) (RL32438).
Environmental Justice and Resource Protection:
Merton & Everett LLP challenged the passage of L.I. 2462, a regulation that previously allowed the Executive to authorise mining within protected forest reserves. By the time the suit was filed, 242 forest reserves had already been compromised. Following these legal efforts and consistent advocacy in partnership with a coalition of Civil Society organisations and Associations, L.I. 2462 was revoked in December 2025, marking a victory for the preservation of Ghana’s biodiversity.
Advocating for the Abolition of the Death Penalty:
A central theme of the Accra launch was the abolition of the death penalty in Ghana. While some nations have made strides, such as Zimbabwe, which recently began re-sentencing death row inmates following its own abolition act, the dialogue in Ghana remains a high priority for stakeholders seeking to align national law with international human rights standards.
A Global Mandate: “Resist, We Will”
The launch also touched on the broader global analysis provided by Amnesty International. In the preface of The State of the World’s Human Rights, Secretary General, Dr. Agnès Callamard describes 2025 as a year defined by a “predatory world order” that mocks international solidarity and silences dissent. Despite these challenges, the report serves as a call to action for civil society and legal advocates to defend the rules-based international order.
As Dr. Callamard powerfully affirmed: “Resist, we did. Resist, we must. Resist, we will.”
Our Commitment:
At Merton & Everett LLP, we believe that justice is not merely “policy on paper” but rather requires active enforcement and accountable leadership. Our attendance at this launch reaffirms our dedication to being part of the solution, ensuring that the voice of the voiceless is heard in every courtroom and legislative hall.
