(a)

Rights of citizens in a state

1. Freedom from inhuman treatment
2. Freedom of movement
3. Right to join any religious group/sect
4. Freedom of association
5. Freedom of speech/expression
6. The right to vote and be voted for when qualified
7. Right to join political party
8. Right to participate in government
9. Right to own property
10. No discrimination against anyone
11. Right to demonstrate/protest in the state peacefully
12. Right to personal freedom
13. Right to life/Right to live
14. Right to personal dignity
15. Right to fair hearing
16. Right to family life
17. Right to work
18. Right to sue and be sued
19. Right to education

(b)

Reasons for which the rights of citizens must be protected in a state

1. To make them active participants in decision making process
2. To make them legible to vote and to be voted for
3. To make them able to join the political party of their choice
4. For the individual to be able to own a property
5. To be able to participate freely in trade and commerce/Economic activities
6. Free expression of views without any form of intimidation
7. To have education up to any level of their choice
8. To have the right to seek legal aid
9. To have the right to sue and be sued
10. To protect the individual from abuse/oppression
11. To be able to access financial support from institution/bank/insurance firms
12. Use any public facility without any discrimination
13. Protect the individual from inhuman cultural practices
14. Reside cordially and peacefully in the state
15. Take up position in public offices in the state

a)

Responsibilities refer to what one is obliged to perform as a duty. Refusal to perform these duties can affect the progress of society and is liable to punishment by the appropriate authority.

Examples of responsibilities

1. Participating in communal labour
2. Paying of taxes
3. Paying of utility bills
4. Protecting public property
5. Reporting criminals and saboteurs
6. Proper disposal of refuse
7. Obeying laws of the land/community
8. Voting during election

b)

Possible conflicts that can arise in the exercise of an individual's rights and responsibilities

1. Undertaking National Service in remote areas without social amenities
2. Payment of development levy in an area where there are no social amenities such as schools, markets and clinics
3. Payment of school fees even when there are no teachers, books, furniture and other learning materials in the school
4. Payment of electricity bills in an area with very low current which renders lights and gadgets unusable for most of the time
5. Payment of road tolls on bad roads
6. Payment of water bills in an area that water may not be flowing
7. Having poor reception but has to pay TV license
8. Peace-keepers getting very little allowance

(a)

Difference between social rights and legal rights

Social rights are those rights that empower an individual to use any public facility such as libraries, hospitals, schools, etc. without any discrimination based on religion, tribe, colour, etc.

However, legal rights are those rights that an individual has in order to take part or participate in decisions directed towards the enjoyment and recognition of the rule of law. These are the conditions/privileges bestowed on a person by a given legal system. Examples include right to fair trial, rights to sue and be sued, right of equality before the law, right to appear as a witness, right to seek redress.

OR

However, legal rights are conditions/privileges which enable an individual to participate in the administration of justice or in the judicial process of the country. Examples include right to fair trial, rights to sue and be sued, right of equality before the law, right to appear as a witness, right to seek redress.

(b)

Ways by which the state protects the rights of the individual in Ghana

1. Entrenchment of rights in the constitution of Ghana
2. Establishment and effective use of independent judiciary
3. Existence and free use of the mass media
4. Existence and free use of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)
5. Provision of free legal aid by the state
6. Public education on the rights of individuals
7. Practice of democratic system of governance
8. Periodic inspection of prisons
9. Upholding of international guarantees
10. Provision and efficient policing

(a)

Difference between natural rights and political rights

Natural rights are the conditions/basic rights, which are inherent in man and cannot be taken away from him. They exist independently of the laws of government or society. They are also called fundamental human rights. Examples include right to life, right to personal liberty, right to freedom of movement, right to freedom of speech, right to marry and raise family, right of association, etc.

However, political rights are the rights, which enable an individual to participate in the governance or management of the affairs of a state. Examples include the right to vote, the right to be voted for, the right to form or join a political party, the right to campaign, etc.

(b)

Ways by which the state protects the rights of the individual in Ghana

1. Entrenchment of rights in the constitution of Ghana
2. Establishment and effective use of independent judiciary
3. Existence and free use of the mass media
4. Existence and free use of Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ)
5. Provision of free legal aid by the state
6. Public education on the rights of individuals
7. Practice of democratic system of governance
8. Periodic inspection of prisons
9. Upholding of international guarantees
10. Provision and efficient policing