Attorney General (AG), Godfred Dame, has emphasized the need for African countries to amend their domestic legislation to recognize international crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.

According to AG, this recognition can be achieved through the domestication of the Rome Statute, enabling national courts to assume jurisdiction over these crimes, or by passing specific legislation that aligns with international standards for punishment.

During a recent speech at the Annual Conference of States Parties to the International Criminal Court on Monday the AG added that the call for legal reform is integral to strengthening Africa’s role in international justice and supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its mission. "Domestic legislations of African countries must recognise war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide as specific offences," he said.

Mr Dame emphasized that national laws should be harmonized with international legal frameworks to ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are held accountable within domestic courts.

He stated, "The passage of a specific legislation affirming the creation of such offences with punishment duly prescribed according to international standards and a forum for punishment of same within our respective domestic legal jurisdictions duly stipulated" is crucial for ensuring justice at the national level.

Mr Dame has also embraced the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s recent initiatives to investigate international crimes beyond Africa’s borders.

"Ghana welcomes the opening of preliminary investigations into several situations outside the African continent by the Court and the establishment of OTP offices abroad," he noted.

This development, Mr Dame pointed out, helps dispel the perception that the ICC focuses disproportionately on Africa.

He explained, "This development and its visible outcomes could help dispel the perception that the Court unduly concentrates on Africa, especially as international crimes under the Statute know no geographical boundaries."

According to the Attorney General, it is essential that the ICC’s mandate be applied universally, with the Court's searchlight focusing on war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity globally.

He noted that amidst increasing cyber and political threats to the security of the ICC, Ghana has reaffirmed its unwavering support for the Court’s independence.

Mr. Dame led Ghana’s delegation, which included Ghana’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, Francis Danti Kotia, and Deputy Head of Mission, Yaowi Senalor.

The Twenty-Third Session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is scheduled to conclude on December 7, 2024.