UNPO draws attention to the continued targeting of the peoples of Western Togoland, represented by the Homeland Study Group Foundation (HSGF), and has formally submitted a statement on this matter to the Government of the Republic of Ghana through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice, and the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD). Through this statement, UNPO calls on these authorities to uphold international human rights standards and the right to self-determination.
The people of Western Togoland have for decades advocated peacefully for their right to freely determine their political status and pursue their social, economic and cultural development. Despite the peaceful efforts of HSGF members, Western Togolanders are criminalized, arbitrarily detained, and harassed under Ghana’s Prohibited Organizations Act of 1976. This outdated decree infringes upon fundamental human rights, including freedom of thought, expression, assembly, and political participation.
In January 2022, UNPO submitted a case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) concerning the criminalisation of HSGF’s non-violent activity, notably the arbitrary detention of HSGF member Mr George Kobla Nyakpo. In its Opinion, in January 2023, the WGAD found that his detention was arbitrary on four grounds: lack of legal basis; deprivation of liberty for peaceful exercise of rights; violation of fair trial rights; and discrimination on political or opinion grounds. The WGAD recommended Ghana remedy the situation, release and compensate Mr Nyakpo, and bring the relevant legislation in line with international norms.
In May 2025, the ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that Ghana had violated the fundamental human rights of a number of HSGF members by subjecting them to arbitrary detention. The Court ordered Ghana to pay compensation. While this represents an important step, the Court did not address the underlying legality of the Prohibited Organisations Act (1976) which remains in force and continues to expose HSGF members to risk of arbitrary action.
UNPO welcomes these decisions, but remains deeply concerned that the Prohibited Organisations Act continues to be used as a tool to suppress peaceful advocacy by the people of Western Togoland. The right of self-determination, enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and other instruments, protects the right of peoples to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development. In the case of Western Togoland, exercising this right could include organising a democratic referendum through which the people may freely express their will.
UNPO calls on the Government of Ghana to fully implement the judgments of both the WGAD and ECOWAS by ensuring the unconditional release, rehabilitation and compensation of those arbitrarily detained; to urgently repeal or amend the Prohibited Organisations Act in line with international human rights obligations; and to engage in meaningful dialogue with the people of Western Togoland to recognise and uphold their rights, including their right to self-determination. UNPO also urges ECOWAS and its Court of Justice to guarantee the effective enforcement of their decisions, closely monitor the situation in Western Togoland to safeguard the rights to peaceful assembly, association, expression and self-determination, and support inclusive, non-violent and equitable mechanisms that enable the people of Western Togoland to determine their political future in accordance with international standards.
UNPO emphasises that the right to self-determination is a fundamental principle of international law, protected under multiple instruments ratified by Ghana, and strongly condemns the use of vague and overly broad legislation to suppress peaceful advocacy and calls on Ghana to bring its practices in line with its international obligations.
UNPO stands ready to assist all parties in facilitating dialogue and peaceful resolution of the issue. We reiterate our commitment to the peoples of Western Togoland and to the principle that self-determination, far from being a destabilising factor, is foundational to lasting peace, sustainable development and mutual respect.
