By Hafsa Obeng, GNA
Accra, July 6, GNA – The Minister of Justice and Attorney General has inaugurated an 18-member steering committee to develop the National Action Plan (NAP) on Business and Human Rights in Ghana.
The NAP on Business and Human Rights is expected to provide guidance to the State and non-State actors on the requirements for all business operations to be conducted in accordance with Human Rights Standards.
Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, inaugurating the committee, said even though Ghana had made notable advances towards promoting and upholding human rights, there was more work to be done in terms of instituting mechanisms to ensure that businesses complied with applicable human rights laws, hence the need for NAP to be put in place.
He said the Plan would promote a harmonious relationship in which both business and communities could thrive by providing a comprehensive framework for the coordination of multi-sectoral efforts to ensure respect for human rights in business operations.
“The NAP framework will result in positive human rights outcomes including the creation of decent jobs, provision of health, education and other services, protection of the environment and the advancement of equality by providing opportunities for marginalized groups.”
Mr Dame said the promotion and observance of human rights of the business community was a collective role of both public and private sector.
He urged members of the Committee to engage all relevant stakeholders in the culmination of the Plan, saying the views and needs of individuals or groups who might be directly impacted by human rights abuses by corporate bodies should also be sought.
The Attorney General also encouraged the business community to also do the right thing by respecting human rights.
Mr Joseph Whittal, Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, said when the NAP was concluded and adopted, the Commission would be monitoring the level of its compliance in general throughout the country to ensure adherence to the United Nations Guiding Principles.
He said the Commission was committed to the process and would take all necessary steps to support the Government in ensuring that it was achieved, since the development of a NAP was fundamentally driven by the Government. Mr Whittal called on stakeholders to support the process by way of both technical and funding support.
Members of the Committee include Mrs Sylvia Adusu, Mrs Mary Nartey, Ms Serena Nantongmah, Mr Eugene Narh Korletey, Mr Kwasi Twumasi Oppong-Kyekyeku, Mr Kingsley Ekow Guray-Sey, Ms Florence Ayisi, Mr Edward Kawereh, and Mr Tijani Hamza. The committee is co-chaired by Mr Dame and Mr Whittal.
GNA
