CHRAJ Complaint Form (Ghana)

A CHRAJ Complaint Form in Ghana asks the relevant authority or court to grant the relief it requests and states the grounds for it.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Act 1993 (Act 456) grants CHRAJ a three-fold mandate under Section 7 of Act 456: to investigate complaints of violations of fundamental rights and freedoms; to investigate complaints of injustice, corruption, abuse of power, unfair treatment, and maladministration by public officials; and to investigate complaints of breach of the Leadership and Governance Code under the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (Amendment) Act 2014 (Act 894). CHRAJ operates independently of the executive, legislature, and judiciary, with its mandate reinforced by Article 218 of the 1992 Constitution.

The CHRAJ Complaint Form (Ghana) is distinct from a petition to the High Court of Ghana under the Human Rights (High Court Enforcement) Procedure Rules, 2000 (CI 33), which is a formal judicial proceeding requiring legal representation and attracting court fees. Filing a complaint with CHRAJ under Act 456 is free of charge, accessible to all members of the public, and does not require a lawyer. CHRAJ has offices in all 16 administrative regions of Ghana, including its headquarters in Accra, and district offices in regional capitals such as Kumasi, Tamale, Cape Coast, Ho, Koforidua, Sunyani, Bolgatanga, Wa, and Sekondi-Takoradi.

The CHRAJ Complaint Form (Ghana) covers complaints against public bodies including ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), state-owned enterprises, and any officer performing a public function. CHRAJ does not have jurisdiction over disputes between private individuals that do not involve a public official or public institution.

Under Section 18 of Act 456, CHRAJ may investigate a complaint on its own initiative or on receipt of a written complaint. Upon receipt of a properly filed CHRAJ Complaint Form, the Commission assigns the matter to an investigator, notifies the respondent, seeks a response, and may invite both parties to a conciliation or mediation session. Where conciliation fails, CHRAJ issues a formal report with recommendations. Compliance with CHRAJ recommendations is enforced through reporting to Parliament under Article 220 of the 1992 Constitution and referral to the Attorney-General where criminal conduct is disclosed.

The legal framework governing the CHRAJ Complaint Form (Ghana) in Ghana draws on several key statutes and regulatory bodies. Under Ghanaian law, the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 is the supreme law. The Courts Act 1993 (Act 459) governs court procedures. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) administers tax under the Income Tax Act 2015 (Act 896). The High Court of Ghana has unlimited original jurisdiction under Article 140 of the Constitution. The Data Protection Act 2012 (Act 843) and the Data Protection Commission govern personal data processing. Parties executing a CHRAJ Complaint Form (Ghana) in Ghana should confirm the document reflects current law, including any amendments enacted since the original drafting date. The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Act 1993 (Act 456) sets the foundational requirements.

A CHRAJ Complaint Form in Ghana is needed whenever a person believes their fundamental human rights have been violated by a public official or public institution, or when they have suffered administrative injustice at the hands of the state.

A CHRAJ Complaint Form is required when a government agency or public official has unlawfully seized property, cancelled a licence, or refused to issue a permit without lawful authority or due process, in violation of the right to property and administrative fairness under Act 456 and the 1992 Constitution.

A CHRAJ Complaint Form is needed when a citizen experiences discriminatory treatment by a public institution on grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, or political opinion, contrary to Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which guarantees equality before the law and freedom from discrimination.

A CHRAJ Complaint Form is required when a civil servant, police officer, immigration officer, or other public official demands a bribe or engages in corruption in the performance of their duties, falling within CHRAJ's anti-corruption mandate under the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (Amendment) Act 2014 (Act 894).

A CHRAJ Complaint Form is needed when a public employee believes they have been victimised, unfairly dismissed, or subjected to harassment by a public sector employer, where the matter falls within CHRAJ's administrative justice jurisdiction under Section 7 of Act 456.

A CHRAJ Complaint Form is required when a person detained by the Ghana Police Service or the Ghana Prisons Service believes their right to liberty or freedom from torture under Article 14 and Article 15 of the 1992 Constitution has been violated.

Parties in Ghana should file a CHRAJ Complaint Form promptly, as Section 22 of Act 456 requires complaints to be submitted within 12 months of the complainant becoming aware of the act or omission giving rise to the complaint. CHRAJ may grant an extension in exceptional circumstances.

Parties in Ghana should prepare a CHRAJ Complaint Form (Ghana) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under Ghanaian law, the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 is the supreme law. The Courts Act 1993 (Act 459) governs court procedures. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) administers tax under the Income Tax Act 2015 (Act 896). The High Court of Ghana has unlimited original jurisdiction under Article 140 of the Constitution. The Data Protection Act 2012 (Act 843) and the Data Protection Commission govern personal data processing. Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.

A valid CHRAJ Complaint Form in Ghana must contain the following essential elements to be accepted for investigation under the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Act 1993 (Act 456).

Complainant Details: Full legal name, residential address, contact telephone number, and Ghana Card number (National Identification Authority ID) or passport number of the person making the complaint. If the complainant is an organisation, the registered name, registration number, and the name and title of the authorised representative must be stated.

Respondent Details: Full name, title, department, and official address of the public official or public institution against whom the complaint is made. Identifying the correct respondent — for example, the specific ministry, department, district assembly, or named officer — is critical for CHRAJ to properly notify and investigate.

Nature of the Complaint: A clear, concise description of the human rights violation, administrative injustice, or corrupt act complained of. The complainant must identify which specific right under Chapter Five of the 1992 Constitution or which provision of Act 456 has been infringed. Examples include: unlawful arrest under Article 14; discrimination under Article 17; seizure of property without compensation under Article 20; or refusal to provide a public service without lawful reason.

Date and Location of the Act or Omission: The specific date or period during which the act complained of occurred, and the location (city, district, or specific institution). This information is critical for the 12-month limitation period under Section 22 of Act 456.

Evidence and Supporting Documents: Copies of any letters, official decisions, receipts, photographs, or other documents that support the complaint. Originals should be retained by the complainant. Witness names and contact details should be included where available.

Prior Remedies Attempted: Details of any steps the complainant has already taken to resolve the matter, such as formal complaints made to the institution or referrals to other bodies including the Office of the Attorney-General, the National Media Commission (NMC), or the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC).

Relief Sought: A clear statement of what the complainant wants CHRAJ to do — for example, to investigate and issue a report, to recommend reinstatement, to recommend payment of compensation, or to refer the matter to the Attorney-General for prosecution.

Declaration of Truth: A signed declaration by the complainant that the information provided is true and correct, which subjects a knowingly false complainant to liability under the Oaths Act 2006 (Act 719) and the Criminal Offences Act 1960 (Act 29). Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Ghana-compliant CHRAJ filings.

Compliance elements for the CHRAJ Complaint Form (Ghana) include: confirming the complaint is filed within 12 months of the violation under Section 22 of Act 456; attaching certified copies of supporting documents; and confirming that the respondent is a public official or public institution within CHRAJ's jurisdiction. Under the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice Act 1993 (Act 456), the Commission investigates complaints against public officials and institutions. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana (Articles 216-230) establishes CHRAJ's constitutional mandate. The Attorney-General's Department handles referrals for criminal prosecution.

Additional compliance elements for a CHRAJ Complaint Form (Ghana) used in Ghana include: Under Ghanaian law, the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 is the supreme law. The Courts Act 1993 (Act 459) governs court procedures. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) administers tax under the Income Tax Act 2015 (Act 896). The High Court of Ghana has unlimited original jurisdiction under Article 140 of the Constitution. The Data Protection Act 2012 (Act 843) and the Data Protection Commission govern personal data processing. Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Ghana-compliant documentation.