Meet the Speakers: Daniel Adjin Odonkor

We are proud to feature Daniel Adjin Odonkor as a speaker at our upcoming international conference on Ecocide, Human Rights and Environmental Justice. 

Daniel is a lawyer and researcher with the Centre of Criminology at the University of Cape Town, where his work explores the intersection of criminal law, human rights, and social justice.  

He has led national legal education initiatives and contributed to law reform efforts across Africa. His current research focuses on Ghana’s illegal mining crisis and proposes an innovative, hybrid definition of ecocide, that protects ecosystems while safeguarding communities and supporting sustainable development.  

Current ecocide definitions present a paradox: they aim to protect the environment but may inadvertently restrict the development activities that countries like Ghana desperately need. Daniels presentation will propose an innovative solution through a "hybrid" definition that balances environmental protection with human rights. This framework addresses developing nations' concerns about restricting their growth while maintaining robust environmental protections.