The second session of the 2025 African Bar Association (AfBA) Annual Conference in Accra, Ghana, will address one of the continent’s most pressing topics—“Foreign Interests in Africa: A Business and Human Rights Perspective.”
As Africa continues to attract significant foreign investment, this session seeks to evaluate business operations across the continent through a human rights lens.
Drawing on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and related international frameworks, the discussion will examine the responsibility of businesses to respect human rights and the duty of governments to protect them. The session will also emphasize the vital role of legal professionals and bar associations in advising compliance with UN principles and other instruments; and supporting victims of business-related human rights abuses.
Chaired by Dr. Ugoji Adanma Eze, the session will feature insights from distinguished panellists:
- Dr Ishmael Norman and
- Dr Anthony Ojukwu
Dr Ugoji Adanma Eze
Ugoji Adanma Eze, Esq., PhD , earned her law degree in London and is a barrister-at-law of the Honorable Society of Grays Inn, London. Barrister Eze is a skilled producer of events and programs at the United Nations Head Quarters in New York, who speaks on US National and Cybersecurity; Climate Change; Global Health; Water disasters; women in entrepreneurship and sustainable development. She has conceptualised moderated or hosted several high level programs, meetings and panel discussions at the United Nations. Her work has been recognised by the New York City Bar Association, and she has also received proclamations honoring her from the City Of Houston, Texas, and Albany, New York.
Dr Ishmael Norman
Dr Norman is the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Security, Disaster and Emergency Studies, (ISDES). Also, a Senior Research Fellow at Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College. Ishmael has BA in International Development, VT, (1982); Juris Doctor (Law Degree) (1985), NH, and PhD (2008), GH. He is a lawyer and a Public Health and Security Specialist. Dr. Norman taught International Law, Human Rights and Conflict, Principle-Based Ethics; Health Legislation; Disaster Management; Criminology, etc., at the Schools of Public Health, UG, Accra, UHAS, VR; ISDES – Ghana, and GAFCSC. Ishmael is a prolific writer with over 100 peer-reviewed publications, and six books.
Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN, OFR, FICMC
Dr. Anthony O. Ojukwu, is the President of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa (NNHRI-WA) and the Current Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nigeria. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986 and holds a Master’s degree in law since 1988. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators. Dr Ojukwu is a human rights activist and a committed Human Rights Defender. He coordinated the project on development of a National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria, which is the current official government policy document on the promotion and protection of human rights in the country today.
Together, they will analyze how Africa can balance its pursuit of economic growth with the protection of human dignity, ensuring that foreign investment translates into fair and sustainable development.
