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Published: February 29th 2012
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Throughout my internship in the human rights office, I was responsible for creating skits and posters to demonstrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to children. We went to many presentations at many different schools. Here are a few of the skits and posters that I made. They are simple, but their purpose is to keep the children interested and educated about human rights.
SCENARIO 1 Nii is a 10 year old boy who lives in the Teshie district. He lives with his mother and two younger sisters in their family house. Nii’s mother is a fish monger and, as the only male figure in his family, Nii has to work in order to provide for his family. Nii must go out on a fishing boat every morning at 3 am and the boat doesn’t get back in until 6 am. After returning, Nii goes straight to school. After school Nii must work to sell the fish he caught in the morning.
Nii is so tired from working so much that he cannot pay attention in school and sometimes falls asleep. Nii’s teacher is frustrated that Nii has become a poor student and thinks he should
be punished accordingly. As a result Nii’s teacher uses the cane as they don’t accept Nii’s excuses.
What human rights are at issue in this scenario?
Why is it important to protect these human rights?
What could the characters do differently to avoid human rights violations?
- Nii
- Nii’s mother
- Nii’s teacher
A major problem in Ghana is police corruption and a more specific campaign was to educate people about offenders rights.
Scenario 1
David must drive to work in Accra every morning. On one particular morning David is running very late for work and is stuck in traffic. The traffic light in front of David is red, but the intersection is clear so he drives through the red light so that he can get to work faster. A Police officer sees David drive through the red light and gestures for him to pull over. The Police officer comes over to the car and demands 10 cedi. David refuses to pay the money, so the Police officer seizes David and takes him to the police station.
At the police station David is taken into
a room for questioning. A police officer comes in and begins to ask him questions in Ga. David doesn’t speak Ga and becomes very confused and angry. The police officer also becomes angry and locks David in a cell. David’s wife and children have no idea where David is and become very worried. After two days David is finally released after he pays a large sum of money to the police officers.
· What rights were violated?
· What should the police have done differently?
· What should David have done differently?
· If you hear of this happening what should you do? Who should you report it to?
Scenario 2
Ama is a suspect in a robbery case. The Police come to Ama’s house and inform her that she is suspected of robbing a store and that she must come to the Police station for questioning. They tell her that anything she says may be used against her and that she may consult a lawyer of her choice. Ama tries to pay the Police some money so that she can go free, but the Police don’t accept the bribe. The Police push Ama into the police car and shout at her for being a thief. She is taken to the police station and questioned for several hours. She is then taken to court where she is charged with robbery and sent to prison for 2 years.
· What rights were violated? What should the police have done differently?
· What did the Police do correctly?
· What should Ama have done differently?
· If you hear of this happening what should you do? Who should you report it to?
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