Mr. Joseph Whittal, the Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), has called on the government to create programs and policies to improve the conditions of “Kayayei” (head porters) in the country. He emphasized that it is the primary responsibility of the state to ensure their development and not solely rely on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to address their issues.
Mr. Whittal made these remarks during a health screening event organized by the Commission in partnership with Nyaho Medical Centre and Unilever for 300 Kayayei around Tema Station, as part of the events leading up to the Commission’s 30th-anniversary celebration. He stated that the commission is focused on uplifting vulnerable groups in society and their programs are targeted at protecting and promoting the rights of the voiceless.
The Commissioner explained that they chose to work with the Kayayei because the state of Ghana owes them the right to development. He acknowledged that many of them face health issues, and the screening would help identify their specific needs and enable the commission to seek support to address those issues.
Mr. Whittal noted that the Kayayei are not on the streets by choice but rather due to a lack of development opportunities in their regions. He emphasized that if development were extended to these areas, they would have access to employment, education, and the opportunities they seek, reducing the need for migration to the south.
He further highlighted the negative consequences of being on the streets and expressed the commission’s commitment to reaching out to these individuals and ensuring that their issues are given priority. The aim is to raise awareness among the state and the public about the existence of a community that has been neglected and highlight the state’s responsibility to address their concerns.
Nana Amoah-Sekyi, Director of the Public Education Department at CHRAJ, emphasized the importance of health as a human right. She stated that promoting and protecting these rights is part of their duty, and the health screening was a crucial aspect of their anniversary celebration.
The activities leading up to the anniversary celebration included a media launch to introduce the anniversary logo and brand ambassador, a webinar to showcase major research activities, and a high-level conference to commemorate the event. The Kayayei expressed their gratitude to CHRAJ for the health screening and appealed to other organizations to provide them with shelter to help them leave the streets and live healthier lives.
