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International Law and Human Rights Internships in Ghana
Ghana is one of the most stable and well-governed African nations. However, life in its capital city, Accra, remains far removed from any North American or European city. Our Human Rights project is based in Accra and offers interns the unique opportunity to get involved at a grassroots level by raising awareness of human rights in a variety of marginalized communities and at risk groups.
Interns work at the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office in Accra. Interning on the Law and Human Rights project in Ghana will give you first-hand experience in human rights law in practice. Your precise role will be determined by your level of experience and interest in specific areas. However, all interns will get the opportunity to work alongside experienced local lawyers on worthwhile projects within a structured program.
Internships are ideal if you’re a law student or a graduate seeking practical experience in human rights law. This project is also appropriate for those on a gap year, undergraduate students in areas such as Development Studies and International Relations, or for people of any age and background with a passion for human rights, social justice, and international development. The experiences you will have while interning in Ghana will look good on any resume.
The highlight of my placement was definitely the numerous court visits I made. These ranged from wooden benches in the hills to the Supreme Court. It really was a truly remarkable experience, and provided an invaluable insight into another legal system. Read more...
Interning on a Law and Human Rights Project in Ghana
Being a Law and Human Rights intern is a full-time position. You will be expected to have a genuine interest in affecting change for the better while keeping in mind the long-term aim of the projects. Placements are certainly demanding and must be taken seriously. In working for the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office, you will be representing a professional organization.
You can expect to work in both urban and rural locations, meet people at all levels of society, and interact with international and domestic authorities and organizations. It is important to demonstrate careful cultural understanding and flexibility. Our mandate is to empower individuals and communities as well as nurture a supportive framework for human rights; it is not to impose western ideals on Ghanaian society.
Projects Abroad Human Rights Office - Our Mission in Ghana
The mission of the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office is threefold; to raise awareness of human rights, to monitor vulnerable areas, and to resolve human rights abuses.
The Projects Abroad Human Rights Office attempts to address the entire framework surrounding human rights law in Ghana. Our work circles around social justice, legal services, and research projects. Many of these projects inter-relate and encompass all of the three main aims detailed below. However, the Projects Abroad Human Rights Office is always open the possibility of working in new areas.
Education and Awareness
Human Rights awareness is conducted for two main reasons. The first is to educate. Many victims of abuses are not aware of their fundamental human rights or the protection afforded to them by law. Equally, perpetrators are often ignorant of the responsibilities they have to others. The second reason is to empower. An increased understanding and awareness encourages legal compliance and access to justice in the future.
The Projects Abroad Human Rights Office regularly performs educational and awareness outreach work to tackle a variety of human rights issues. Interns travel to rural communities, schools, and other local institutions to make presentations and provide training. The Projects Abroad Human Rights Office often partners with relevant authorities to address issues of domestic violence, interstate succession, offender's rights, child labor, child trafficking, and the right to education, to name a few.
Human Rights Monitoring
In order to identify communities and individuals in need of assistance we perform human rights monitoring. We enter areas and facilities to identify abuses, determine their gravity, assess the needs of people affected, prioritize cases, and determine a strategy to bring about change.
We also monitor facilities and activities of associate organizations to offer effective and efficient assistance. Such assistance may be in terms of personnel support, sourcing funding for financial assistance, offering direct financial assistance, or simply making recommendations.
This monitoring occurs in rural farming areas, fishing and mining communities, in communities of foreign nationals or seasonal migrants, in city slums, in courts, in areas of landfill, in daily media, and in facilities under the direction of state institutions or NGOs.
Monitoring also allows us to consider our own level of success so that we may perform better in the future.
Abuse Resolution
Where we have identified a victim or group of victims of human rights abuse, we will provide assistance directly rather than in a communal setting. Such people come to our attention through our open door legal service and consultations, our monitoring and awareness projects, and through referrals from associate organizations and individuals.
The lack of accessibility to Ghanaian courts often means we explore alternative methods of resolution. These include utilizing the traditional methods of village chiefs and elders, publicity through lobbying campaigns and conventional media, alternative dispute resolution and mediation, or the use of family structures or religious institutions, both of which carry high influence in Ghanaian society.
The work that I got involved in was interesting, fun and extremely diverse. One week I could be advocating better Human Rights for communities suffering at the hands of mining pollution, and then the next week I would be establishing contacts with other NGOs to start a national campaign to end child prostitution and trafficking. Not to mention the work we did across refugee camps, schools and prayer camps. Believe me the work is tiring but you really do feel a sense of achievement on this project. Read more...
Under the experienced guidance of our in-house lawyer and through our partnerships with local advocacy firms and governmental legal aid projects, interns have the opportunity to help resolve complaints and specific issues of people revealed as victims. Cases for resolution can cover a wide range of topics including family, environment, property, health insurance, business practices, and criminality.
While interns can join this project from 2 weeks or longer, we recommend that interns join us for as long as possible. Those interning for 2 weeks or 1month sometimes find that it is not long enough to get as involved as they would have wanted to. However, if you show initiative and fully commit yourself to your work then you are able to get a great amount out of whatever length of time you spend here.
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