Ms Anna Bossman has tendered in her retirement letter to the President.
She acted as Acting Commissioner from 2004-2009, in the absence of substantive boss Justice Francis Emile Short, who was on an international assignment in Arusha, Tanzania.
After Justice Short’s resignation in November 2010, it was widely expected that Ms Bossman would take over as Commissioner, but that did not happen.
Citi News sources say a High Court judge has been appointed the substantive Head to replace Mr. Short.
But Ms. Anna Bossman, who left the petroleum sector as a top notch corporate lawyer, told Citi News her decision to retire has nothing to do with the fact that she was not confirmed as the substantive CHRAJ Head.
According to her, she only had a few challenges working in an acting position over a long period of time. But she admitted the situation “can undermine the integrity of an institution”, adding “it does not make governance very effective”.
She said the psyche and dominance of men has often made it difficult for women to occupy top positions, but noted that Ghana has improved in that regard but needs to do more.
“I thought that this is the right time to quit because I have decided to do other things. When you reach a certain age, you just decide whether you have to do the same thing or do other things. I am going to be working in other places but I am still going to do human rights work and anti- corruption because after working with CHRAJ for such a long time and being passionate about these issues, I think I will still do some advocate work. I believe that I am still going to be doing things for Ghana. It’s not an easy decision because I really believe very strongly in this institution” she said.
Also speaking to Citi News, the former CHRAJ boss, Mr. Emile Short, said although he was surprised at Ms. Bossman’s exit, he only sees it as part of the fulfillment of a long term career plan.
He however expressed concern about the challenges in running institutions when managers are made to work in acting positions over a long period of time.
A human rights lawyer and gender advocate, Nana Oye Lithur, similarly expressed dismay at Miss Bossman’s resignation.
She told Citi News Ms Bossman has been very instrumental in promoting human rights issues, and her exit will have a deleterious effect on the fight to enhance human rights.
“We are losing one of our leading human rights campaigners. Auntie Anna…started with the issue of sexual harassment and… also contributed immensely to creating a platform for human rights defenders to be able to have the space to articulate and protect human rights. She also created a very good relationship between NGOs working on human rights issues and the CHRAJ and together we have come very far as far as human rights standards in Ghana is concerned,” Oye Lithur noted.
Mrs Angela Dwamena Aboagye of the Arc Foundation expressed similar sentiments about the development, saying the human rights fraternity has been dealt a heavy blow.
Ms. Bossman thanked the many human rights and gender advocates who stood behind her and encouraged her throughout her time with CHRAJ.
The rest is here: