Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) has launched a series of youth-focused competitions in The Gambia as part of activities commemorating the 45th anniversary of the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, with officials emphasizing the critical role young people will play in safeguarding the continent’s human rights future.
The competitions include a Human Rights Debate Competition, a Human Rights Spelling Bee, and the “Checkmate for Rights” Chess Challenge.
The initiative forms part of a broader program of activities leading to the 40th anniversary of the Charter’s entry into force in October.
Speaking at the launch, ACHPR Executive Secretary, Abiola Idowu-Ojo, described the competitions as more than recreational contests, saying they are designed to equip young Africans with the knowledge and skills needed to become future defenders of human rights.
“These are not simply competitions. They are platforms for learning. They are spaces for leadership development. They are opportunities to help build future leaders, thinkers, advocates, and changemakers,” she said.
Idowu-Ojo noted that young people across Africa are increasingly influencing discussions on governance, development, and human rights, making their involvement in commemorating the Charter particularly significant.
“The future of the African human rights project belongs to Africa’s youth,” she told participants.
According to the executive secretary, the competitions aim to deepen young people’s understanding of the African Charter while fostering critical thinking, leadership, and advocacy skills.
She explained that the debate competition would encourage participants to engage with and analyze key human rights issues, while the spelling bee would help younger learners become familiar with human rights terminology and concepts.
The chess challenge, she added, is intended to cultivate strategic thinking, patience, and discipline, qualities she said are essential for advancing and protecting human rights.
Looking ahead, Idowu-Ojo announced plans for additional continent-wide youth engagement activities, including essay-writing, poetry, and digital storytelling competitions. She also highlighted a planned collaboration with the Center for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria in preparation for the 2027 All Africa Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
She urged participants to recognize that human rights extend beyond legal frameworks and are reflected in everyday interactions.
“Human rights are lived realities. They are reflected in how we treat one another, how we respect diversity, how we promote equality, and how we stand up for justice and dignity in our communities,” she said.
The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights was adopted on 27 June 1981 by the then-organization of African Unity and entered into force in October 1986. The Charter remains the cornerstone of Africa’s regional human rights system and serves as the foundational instrument guiding the work of the ACHPR.
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