Genevieve Partington is leading bold, inclusive human rights advocacy and feminist reform across Ghana and beyond.
Since February 2023, Genevieve Partington has served as the Country Director of Amnesty International Ghana, becoming the first woman to hold the position since the organisation’s founding in 1973. Her appointment marked a historic milestone for gender representation in Ghana’s human rights.
With over a decade of international experience, Partington has worked in Ghana, France, and the Netherlands, leading programmes at prominent NGOs, including Oxfam, where she served as Regional Gender Project Coordinator and Interim Programme Manager for the Gender Justice and Social Inclusion Pillar. She also held key roles at Child and Youth Finance International and the French Embassy in Ghana. Her expertise includes human rights, gender-based violence, social justice, and international development, and she is bilingual in English and French.
Academically, Partington holds a BA in Political Science and French from the University of Ghana, an MA in International Relations and Political Science from Jean Moulin Lyon 3 in France, an MA in Development Studies from Erasmus University Rotterdam, and an LLM in International Law from the University of East London.
Leading as Country Director of Amnesty International Ghana
As Amnesty Ghana’s director, Partington has focused on advocacy regarding gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices. Under her leadership, the organisation intensified its campaign against witchcraft-related abuses, urging the Ghanaian government to criminalise such accusations, ensure justice and reparations for victims, close witch camps with proper support systems, and launch long-term education campaigns to reduce stigma. She publicly called on the new government to reintroduce and pass legislation that had stalled after a related bill passed in 2023 was left unsigned.
She has also voiced concerns over delays in justice sector reforms, including the Community Sentencing Bill, which aims to ease prison congestion and offer alternative sentencing models. Her leadership aligns strategically with Amnesty International’s Global Strategic Framework 2022–2030, ensuring Ghana’s efforts contribute to global priorities like freedom of expression, equality, and the abolition of the death penalty.
Beyond advocacy, Genevieve Partington is committed to strengthening Amnesty Ghana internally. She has led national annual planning meetings to improve coordination across regional offices, refined work plans, and enhanced grassroots mobilisation. Her change management approach emphasises capacity-building, inclusivity, and long-term sustainability.
Furthermore, she actively supports young women pursuing careers in development and human rights, providing leadership training and creating an enabling environment for their growth. She advocates feminist leadership as a concept and a practical model of decision-making and influence.
Additionally, Partington believes in leveraging digital tools and youth engagement as drivers of change. She has incorporated these elements into the organisation’s growth strategy, expanding the reach and impact of Amnesty Ghana’s campaigns.
Through strategic leadership, inclusive advocacy, and a strong commitment to gender justice, Genevieve Partington is transforming Amnesty International Ghana into a more effective and equitable force for human rights both within and outside the country.
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