By Binta Jaiteh
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has highlighted the urgent need to address Africa’s escalating environmental challenges during a panel discussion at its ongoing 85th Ordinary Session in Banjul.
In his deliberation, Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim, a Ghanaian lawmaker, called for decisive and coordinated action to confront the continent’s deepening environmental crisis.
“Across our continent, we are living through what can only be described as a human and environmental emergency,” he said. “We see it in the advancing desertification of the Sahel, in the drying of our rivers and wetlands, in the pollution from extractive industries, and in the relentless deforestation that threatens our biodiversity and food security.”
Hon. Anim pointed to Ghana’s struggle with illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, which he said has devastated river bodies, poisoned communities, and destroyed fertile farmland.
“While our extractive industries contribute significantly to revenue generation and employment, we cannot ignore the social and environmental costs that come with irresponsible mining practices, pollution, and weak regulation,” he emphasized.
The lawmaker stressed that these are not merely environmental problems, but human rights violations. He noted that although many African countries, including Ghana, have strong environmental laws and well-structured institutions, implementation and enforcement remain weak.
“The gap between policy and practice undermines our collective progress,” he said. “To bridge this gap, we must invest in the capacity of regulatory institutions, ensure adequate funding, and reinforce political accountability at all levels. Without consistent enforcement and political will, even the best laws remain mere words on paper.”
Hon. Anim further emphasized the need for accessible justice mechanisms, whether through courts, environmental tribunals, or community-based mediation systems.
“We must hold corporations to clear human rights due diligence standards,” he said. “Businesses operating in Africa must not only comply with national regulations but also uphold international environmental and human rights norms.”
He underscored the crucial oversight role of Parliaments, saying they occupy a pivotal space at the intersection of policy, law, and the people.
“Our role must be to strengthen and modernize environmental legislation; ensure effective oversight of ministries, agencies, and corporations through public hearings and audits; collaborate closely with National Human Rights Institutions to document and respond to environmental rights violations; and most importantly, listen to the communities, especially women, youth, and indigenous peoples, who bear the brunt of environmental harm daily,” he added.
Hon. Anim concluded that Africa’s environmental crisis “is no longer something to manage tomorrow.”
“Our response must be ambitious, coordinated, and rooted in human rights. We must move beyond statements to systems, systems of accountability, prevention, and justice. If we succeed, Africa can lead the world, not only in recognizing the right to a healthy environment but in living it, protecting our people and our planet together,” he urged.
Meanwhile, Voke Ighorodje, Director of the International Justice Program at the REED Center, Nigeria, echoed similar concerns, warning that the planet is under immense pressure.
“Forests are disappearing, oceans and rivers are choking with plastic, and temperatures are rising,” he said. About 10 million hectares of forest are lost annually, species are becoming endangered or extinct, and extreme weather events, floods, droughts, and heatwaves are becoming the norm. We can no longer live in denial; the signs are everywhere.”
Panelists also discussed the growing global movement to recognize ecocide, severe environmental destruction, as an international crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), alongside genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
“The aim is to make large-scale environmental destruction a crime of the highest order, holding corporate and government decision-makers personally accountable,” Ighorodje explained.
He noted that Africa suffers most from global environmental degradation despite contributing the least to it. “Often, the damage is caused by companies from the Global North. An international law could allow personal accountability for actors from the Global North who cause ecocide and human rights devastation in Africa,” he said.
He concluded that recognizing ecocide would bridge environmental protection and human rights enforcement.
“Environmental destruction undermines the right to life, health, food, water, culture, and self-determination. Recognizing ecocide would help address the root causes of displacement, conflict, and poverty,” Ighorodje stated.
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By Binta Jaiteh The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has highlighted the urgent need to address Africa’s escalating…
The post African Commission Urges Action on Environmental Crisis, Calls for Accountability and Justice appeared first on .
