President John Dramani Mahama delivered a profoundly introspective and emotionally resonant keynote address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, where he recounted how the detention of his father in the aftermath of Ghana’s 1966 military coup indelibly shaped his philosophical commitment to justice, constitutionalism, and the sanctity of human dignity.

Addressing an august gathering of African Heads of State, eminent jurists, diplomatic envoys, and representatives of civil society, President Mahama situated his remarks within both personal history and continental political experience, arguing that Africa’s democratic trajectory must be fortified by resilient institutions capable of safeguarding civil liberties against arbitrary exercises of power.

“I remain the child whose father was detained for serving his country and advising its leader,” he remarked, invoking his family’s experience as a symbolic representation of the human consequences of political instability and constitutional ruptures that characterized many post-independence African states.

The President observed that early exposure to the ramifications of political upheaval profoundly influenced his appreciation of institutional accountability and the fragility of fundamental rights in environments where judicial safeguards are weakened. He emphasized that the denial of justice to any individual inevitably produces cascading social consequences that extend beyond the immediate victim.

“When injustice is visited upon one person, it does not terminate with that individual,” he stated solemnly. “Rather, it reverberates through families, communities, and sometimes across successive generations.”

Mahama underscored that his political and humanitarian convictions were largely forged by these formative experiences, which reinforced his steadfast advocacy for judicial independence, procedural fairness, and the protection of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms. He stressed that governance systems must be designed to guarantee the right to fair hearing and equitable treatment under the law.

“It is precisely because of such lived experiences that I hold such strong conviction in due process, in the inviolability of the right to be heard, and in the protection of fundamental human rights,” he affirmed. “No citizen should be compelled to endure injustice simply because the institutions entrusted with safeguarding them have failed in their duty.”

Turning his attention to the broader African political landscape, President Mahama argued that the continent’s historical encounters with coups d’état, unlawful detentions, and abrupt constitutional interruptions should serve as enduring reminders of the imperative to strengthen democratic governance structures. He warned that sustainable development on the continent remains intrinsically linked to the consolidation of rule-based governance and judicial autonomy.

“Our continent’s historical experience teaches us that justice cannot be relegated to chance or political convenience,” he said. “Justice must be deliberately constructed, carefully protected, and firmly anchored in institutions that are impartial, independent, and resilient to political interference.”

He further praised the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights as a vital continental institution dedicated to protecting fundamental freedoms and ensuring state accountability under the provisions of the Banjul Charter. According to him, the Court represents not only a legal mechanism but also a moral symbol of Africa’s collective determination to uphold human rights standards.

“For me, this is not an abstract legal discourse,” President Mahama concluded. “This is deeply personal. It is about ensuring that no child in Africa must grow up witnessing a parent suffer injustice without the possibility of legal redress.”

President John Dramani Mahama has called on African Union (AU) member states that have yet to ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights establishing the African Court to do so “without delay,” emphasizing that a robust and independent continental judiciary is indispensable to the protection of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across Africa.

Delivering the keynote address at the official opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the commemoration of the Court’s 20th Anniversary in Arusha, President Mahama underscored the urgency of fully empowering the African Court to execute its mandate free from fear, favour, or political interference.

“I call upon African Union member states who have not yet ratified the Protocol to please do so without delay,” he urged. “To my colleagues in those countries, I assure you that you have nothing to fear from this Court.”

He further appealed to countries that have already ratified the Protocol to demonstrate genuine commitment by respecting and faithfully implementing the Court’s judgments. He also encouraged them to make the requisite declaration permitting individuals and non-governmental organisations direct access to the Court.

“I humbly ask all African nations and individuals to respect and implement the Court’s judgments in good faith, and to also make the declaration to allow individuals and NGOs direct access to the Court,” he added.

Reinforcing Continental Justice

President Mahama described the African Court as an institution “that serves all but is beholden to none,” stressing that its independence is fundamental to safeguarding the rights and dignity of African citizens beyond their national jurisdictions.

Reflecting on the Court’s two decades of operation, he commended its judges for their “fortitude and courage” in upholding the principles enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, popularly known as the Banjul Charter.

“We need that kind of oversight so that we remain observant and respectful of the rights and duties enumerated in the Charter,” he noted.

According to him, strengthening the Court transcends mere legal obligation; it is a moral imperative for a continent whose history has been marred by colonial subjugation, unconstitutional changes of government, political detentions, and systemic human rights violations.

Personal Reflections on Justice

Anchoring his remarks in personal experience, President Mahama recounted the detention of his father in the aftermath of Ghana’s 1966 coup and the subsequent political upheavals — events that, he said, profoundly shaped his lifelong commitment to justice and due process.

“I remain the child whose father was detained for serving his country and advising its leader,” he told an audience comprising Heads of State, members of the judiciary, diplomats, and civil society representatives.

He observed that injustice against one individual reverberates far beyond the immediate victim, affecting families, communities, and generations, thereby underscoring the necessity of strong and impartial judicial institutions at both national and continental levels.

Charting the Future

With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and to account for nearly 40 per cent of the global population by the end of the century, President Mahama stressed that the protection of human rights and the consolidation of judicial institutions are critical to unlocking the continent’s immense potential.

“Africa must measure its wealth not only by its natural resources, but by its people,” he declared, urging leaders to establish governance systems that guarantee life, dignity, liberty, and self-determination.

He expressed optimism that by the time the African Court marks its 40th anniversary, it would emerge as “the leading international judicial body and a model for others.”

President John Dramani Mahama has called on African leaders to redefine the continent’s understanding of wealth, urging nations to prioritise human capital over natural resources as the true measure of prosperity and sovereignty.

Speaking at the official opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th Anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, President Mahama stressed that Africa’s greatest inheritance is not its vast mineral deposits but its people.

“Africa has been blessed with many of the world’s natural resources, including gold, silver, diamonds, copper, cobalt, uranium, oil, lithium and more,” he said. “At times, it becomes easy to overlook that our most significant inheritance is our people and their cultural legacies.”

The Ghanaian leader urged African nations to imagine a continent where citizens are free from oppression, conflict, persecution and violence, and assured of their fundamental rights.

“Imagine if Africa measured its wealth not by natural resources, but by its people — valued individuals, free from oppression, conflict, persecution and violence, and assured of their rights to life, dignity, liberty and self-determination. What would that look like?” he asked.

A Demographic Advantage

President Mahama highlighted Africa’s growing population as a powerful asset that must be protected and empowered through strong institutions, particularly independent judicial systems.

By 2050, he noted, Africa’s population will reach 2.5 billion, representing more than a quarter of the world’s population. By the end of the century, nearly 40 per cent of the global population will be African.

“Already, the median age on the African continent is 19,” he said. “Can we imagine the power that we hold in our hands?”

He cautioned that this demographic advantage would only translate into prosperity if African states safeguard human rights, strengthen governance, and create opportunities that prevent brain drain and instability.

Linking Human Rights to Development

President Mahama tied the continent’s economic transformation to the protection of human rights, arguing that development cannot be sustained without justice, dignity and the rule of law.

“For far too long, we have compared ourselves to the West and used what we believed were their standards as benchmarks,” he said, quoting Tanzania’s founding President Julius Nyerere: “One does not judge one’s state of health by comparing it to a sick person.”

He stressed that Africa must develop its own paradigm for democracy and governance while preserving its dignity and cultural identity.

The President also called on African Union member states that have not yet ratified the Protocol establishing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights to do so without delay, assuring leaders that they “have nothing to fear from this Court.”

“I humbly ask all African nations and individuals to respect and implement the Court’s judgements in good faith,” he added.

Looking Ahead

As the African Court marks 20 years of operation, President Mahama described the institution as critical to protecting the rights and dignity of African citizens beyond national borders.

“Now is the time for Africa to step into its greatness,” he declared.

The ceremony in Arusha brought together Heads of State and Government, Chief Justices, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society representatives and legal practitioners from across the continent to commemorate the Court’s milestone anniversary and officially open its 2026 Judicial Year.