Seminars & Conferences
ILAD conducts seminars and other training programs for educational and other institutions from time to time. The aim of such programs is to educate and sensitize members of such organizations on their rights, roles and responsibilities under various laws.
In addition, directors of ILAD attend conferences from time to time to keep themselves abreast of new developments in the law and also to build professional networks.
Seminar for teachers of Remar Shalom Education Centre
ILAD is of a strong conviction that teachers in Ghana need to be trained on their responsibilities under the Domestic Violence Act 2007 and the Children’s Act 1998. Therefore, the Institute has initiated training programs for teachers on these laws. The first seminar was held at the Remar Shalom Education Centre, an orphanage school at Pakro, near Nsawam in Ghana’s Eastern Region on 17th October 2025. The seminar was facilitated by Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu Esq. and JFK Agudetse Esq. who are directors of ILAD. It was a successful seminar. The teachers participated actively and asked very relevant questions. They expressed their appreciation to ILAD for the seminar and requested that a similar seminar be held with the Parent Teacher Association of the school. Certificates of participation were awarded to the teachers who attended the seminar.
Seminar For Teachers Of Roman Ridge M/A Basic School.
ILAD is continuing its campaign to sensitise teachers on their responsibilities under Ghana’s Domestic Violence Act 2007 and Children’s Act 1998. In that regard, on 11th February 2026, ILAD held a seminar at the Roman Ridge M/A Basic School. Once again the seminar was facilitated by Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu(Executive Director) and J. F. K. Agudetse (Director).The participation of the teachers was very encouraging and they were awarded with certificates.
United Nations Human Rights Council, 61st Session, Palais de Congrès, Geneva.
On 6th March 2026, the United Nations Human Rights Council held its 61st session at the UN Palais de Congrès in Geneva. The Institute for Law & Development (ILAD) was invited to the conference and two of its members represented the Institute:
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Nana Kegya Appiah-Adu (Mrs.), Executive Director, ILAD
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Dr. Ghislain Patrick Lessene, Director of ILAD and Executive Director of CEJA (Centre d’Etudes Juridique Africaine), a civil society institution dedicated to the promotion of human rights in Africa.
At the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, there was a presentation on women’s rights on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The need to respect and promote the rights of women globally was emphasised. At this session, there was also an interactive dialogue with the independent expert on albinism. A number of representatives of albino communities of various countries including China, the United Kingdom, Trinidad & Tobago and Ghana made presentations on discrimination faced by albinos. They stressed the need for the implementation of the UN’s principles on albinism globally.
Also, as part of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, there was a panel discussion on the Human Rights situation in Africa. Dr. Lessene and Mrs. Appiah-Adu of ILAD attended this program. It was organised by CEJA and the African Centre for Human Rights and Democracy. Panelists at the conference included:
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Dr. Ghislain Patrick Lessene, Executive Director of CEJA and Director of ILAD
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Commissioner Idrissa Sow, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
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H. E. Paul Empole Losoko Efambe, permanent representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the United Nations Office in Geneva
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Mr. Moulay Lahsen Naji, Executive Director of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in North Africa
The moderator was Mr. Abdelbagi Jibril, Main Representative of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies , UN Office, Geneva.
The panel discussions focused on challenges regarding the promotion and protection of human rights and freedom in Africa. It was observed that while some countries are progressing in the promotion of human rights, others are retrogressing. The panelists noted that the reason for the retrogression of the human rights situation in some African countries was internal armed conflicts, acts of terrorism and coups d’états. It was also noted that the DRC and Sudan are countries that have recorded mass killings and destruction of property.
The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights was applauded for having achieved progress in setting standards for the promotion of human rights and in building cooperation with African nations, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. The panelists successfully set a human rights agenda for civil society partners for 2026 and beyond.
UNECE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT WEEK
The UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Resource Management Week was held from 27 April - 1 May 2026 in Geneva. The Institute for Law & Development (ILAD) was represented at the conference by one of its directors, Dr. Vida Abdaly, who is also a senior advisor to UNECE. Topics that were discussed at the conference included:
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The evolving policy and technical dimensions of sustainable resource management
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Energy governance
The conference was a special one because it is dealing with issues such as the inclusion of gender, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and other vulnerable groups in the just transition plans. This is commendable because UNECE recognises the importance of involving all stakeholders in the just transition process. Congratulations to our Director Dr. Vida Abdaly and other facilitators at the conference for this laudable initiative.
