The Secretariat of the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI) is pleased to release its latest entry in its “States parties in focus” series, which explores States’ experiences around ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). The series aims to inspire and encourage other States to take action and promote national reforms necessary to prevent and respond to incidents of torture and ill-treatment domestically.

The ratification of UNCAT and its Optional Protocol by Ghana and the Government’s positive cooperation with UN torture prevention bodies has led to real changes on the ground, such as improvements in prison conditions, overcrowding has been reduced, investments have been made in human rights training programmes for prison staff and educational curricula have been extended to prisoners. UNCAT created an impetus for Ghana to implement a number of needed reforms, and its experience can serve as inspiration for other states to follow its path!

Read more on Ghana’s experience here.

Please also check out CTI’s previous States parties in focus blogs: Fiji, Chile, The Bahamas, and the Gambia, all are available here.

For States interested in knowing how CTI can offer support for ratification and/or implementation of the Convention, please contact the CTI Secretariat at advicehub@cti2024.org.