Moreover, the commission is expressly prohibited from engaging in any political or advocacy activities which might influence legislation. This is problematic since one of the main functions of a human rights commission usually is to harmonize domestic laws and policies with international human rights standards. There are no requirements for pluralistic representation, nor are there any educational or professional requirements. Also, the act requires decision-making based on consensus which may paralyze the commission. The independence of the Human Rights Commission is seriously undermined by the fact that it receives no sustainable government funding.
Funding is given at the whim of the president and can be used as an instrument of control.
136 International and local groups responded to the flawed act by initiating a consultation process to propose amendments to the existing law. The international NGO, the Carter Center, organized a consultative meeting in March 1998 with ninety-seven participants from the government and civil society as well as the heads of the Ghanaian and Ugandan commissions to serve as resource persons. The consultation identified specific provisions that needed to be amended in the law and drafted the amendments in consultation with the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Following this pressure, the government introduced an amendment to the law in 1998 which empowered the commission to reach decision through a majority vote, allowed review of a decision only by the supreme court, and gave the right to subpoena witnesses. The draft bill went through various committee in the legislature, however, it was never fully passed by the legislature, leaving the flawed 1997 legislation to stand.