Source: All Africa
Justice Sophia A.B Akuffo, of the African Court on Human and People's Rights had an exchange yesterday with Cavaye Yeguie Djibril.

Ghanaian-born Justice Sophia A. B Akuffo, President of the African Court on Human and People's Rights has restated the importance of Cameroon ratifying the protocol establishing the court that also protects the rights of women.

She was speaking to the press yesterday April 23, 2013 in Yaounde after close to an hour's audience with House Speaker, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril.

She said though they were received primarily on the basis of a consultative and sensitisation seminar they are holding in Yaounde as from today (April 24 to 26 April, 2013), on "The African Court on Human and People's Rights: Your New Partner in Strengthening the Protection of Human Rights in Africa," women's issues especially the protection of their rights, could not be overlooked. The seminar will enhance the protection of human rights in Africa through among other things, raising awareness on the court, especially in women's organisations. It is also to brief stakeholders on how to lodge complaints with the court and encouraging States still to ratify the protocol on the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the establishment of an African Court on Human and People's Rights to do so.

The likelihood of Cameroon ratifying the protocol setting up the court and making the special declaration that will enable individuals and NGO to access the court as per Article 34(6) directly was discussed, Justice Akuffo explained. Accompanied by a delegation of the court's officials, the African Rights Court President said the court was ready for all Africans.

• Cameroon