Workshop on Ghana Business Code held

Takoradi, Jan. 30, GNA - Mr Ben Oduro, Project Manager of Improving Business Practice (IBP), a non-governmental organisation, on Tuesday called on managers to build their businesses on human rights, labour standards, environmental responsibility and transparency. He made the call at a day's sensitisation workshop on the Ghana Business Code (GHBC) organised by the IBP for members of the Takoradi Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TRCCI) in Takoradi. Mr Oduro pointed out that these principles should be integrated into business practices of organisations, saying business organisations must have policies against corruption and must work against corruption. He said it was necessary for businesses to have policies on gifts and gifts taking in fighting against bribery, extortion of money and corruption.

Mr Oduro said businesses could thrive without bribery and corruption and should seek to improve the quality of their services instead of depending on bribery and corruption.

Mr Oduro said the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) was funding the IBP to develop the GHBC and implement it. He said the code would highlight human rights and transparency, labour standards and environmental responsibility in business, pointing out that the code was also about corporate social responsibility, people and the environment.

These principles of the GHBC, he said were based on the United Nations Global Compact Initiative and were in line with the country's anti-corruption laws.

"The Global Compact asks business leaders to embrace and enact a set of universal principles in the areas of human rights, labour rights, environment and corruption and to support the broad UN goals of peace and development," Mr. Oduro said.

He noted that donations and sponsorships by businesses were not the appropriate forms of corporate social responsibility, saying some sponsorship turned out to be advertisements and communities did not benefit from them.

Businesses, he said should address the needs of communities instead of making donations and offering sponsorships. Mr James Kainyiah, Chairman of TRCCI, said the GHBC should be observed for the internal guidance of businesses in addition to the country's laws.

He said the code could add value to "One's business in terms of increasing employee motivation and loyalty" and "Attract foreign business operations and investment into Ghana".