We require a justice system that is fair, honest, and efficient - AG.
Mr Godfred Yeboah Dame, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, has emphasized the importance of the country's justice system being fair, honest, and efficient.
He stated that a justice system that ensured all elements of the rule of law and quick and efficient resolution of disputes would result in a business operating environment marked by transparency, certainty, and fairness.
Mr. Dame made the remarks on Monday at the launch of the National Baseline Assessment Report on Business and Human Rights in Accra.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) compiled the report in collaboration with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), with funding from the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR).
He stated that the relationship between business and human rights was critical in today's increasingly globalized economy.
He noted that business had been linked to gross violations of human rights on the African continent for many years, and as such, the importance of a national baseline assessment report on the interaction between business and human rights could not be overstated.
"Human rights are fundamental rights and liberties that protect all." They are founded on the principles of dignity, fairness, equality, and respect. Businesses have a significant impact on how we live our lives and enjoy our human rights, whether as an employee, a customer, or simply as residents of cities and towns."
Mr. Dame stated that the development of the baseline assessment report was constitutionally supported by Article 36 of Ghana's Constitution on the country's economic objectives.
"Clauses 2, 4, 6, 7, and 10 of Article 36, in particular, establish firm imperatives for the State in the construction of an economic order that guarantees ample opportunity for individual initiative while also providing a fair, realistic remuneration as an incentive for continued production and higher productivity."
He stated that the primary concerns of articles 36, 18, and 20 of the Constitution are the ownership and possession of property, as well as the encouragement of foreign investment within the constraints of State regulations.
He stated that the promotion and observance of human rights by the business community is a joint responsibility of the public and private sectors, and that businesses must strive to do the right thing by respecting human rights.
During the third Cycle Review of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the Human Rights Council in 2017, Ghana accepted the recommendation to "integrate and apply the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights to all its relevant policies, including licensing extractive business," according to Mr Joseph Whittal, Commissioner, CHRAJ.
He stated that in order to achieve this, a national baseline assessment of Ghana's business and human rights situation was required to identify gaps in the application of the Guiding Principles and then develop a National Action Plan to propose specific interventions or policies to address the gaps and the adverse human rights impacts of business enterprises.
Mr Whittal stated that the Commission conducted the assessment to evaluate Ghana's implementation of the UNGPs as part of measures to ensure that Ghana achieved the recommendation that it supported on business and human rights during the UPR.
The assessment, according to the Commissioner, focused on four critical sectors of the economy: petroleum, finance, telecommunications, and mining.
"Overall, it was discovered that, while some government policies, laws, treaties, and institutions meet the standards set by the UNGPs, there are some gaps that require immediate attention to improve the State's and businesses' protection of and respect for human rights, as well as remedy for human rights violations in Ghana." The identified gaps are discussed in the report across the three pillars of the framework'Protect, Respect, and Remedy."
He stated that the Commission was committed to the process and would take all necessary steps to assist the government in meeting its goal, and he urged stakeholders to support the process by providing both technical and financial assistance.
Later, the Minister established an 18-member steering committee to create a national action plan on business and human rights.
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