Human Rights Awareness: Perspectives of Students and Administrators in the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The study investigated human rights awareness of administrators and students at the University of Cape Coast (UCC). The cultural reproduction and structural violence theory offered the theoretical frames for understanding human rights in higher education in Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative research design, using the case study approach to interpret the human rights situation in UCC. Thirty students and 10 administrators were purposively selected for interview. Inductive analysis process was used to analyse the data into themes. The study revealed that the administration of the University has shown great commitment to the application of the principles of human rights, but some traces of structural violence have been transferred from society into the University. I recommend the establishment of a human rights centre to handle human rights complaints and promote respect for human rights at the UCC.