Companies asked to respect business code

Tema, April 30, GNA - Mr. Johnson Ben Oduro, Manager of Ghana Business Code (GHBC), has urged companies and business organizations to abide by the code to ensure fair treatment of stakeholders. He said Ghanaian business organisations supported the establishment of the code to deal fairly and equitably with stakeholders including, employees, communities as well as government and its agencies. Mr. Oduro made the call at a day's workshop on implementation of the code on Occupational Health Safety (OHS), HIV/AIDS and gender, held in Tema on Wednesday.

He said the code was aligned to the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, which addressed issues of human rights, labour standards, anti-corruption and ethical business practices among others. Mr. Oduru said that over 140 business organizations in the country had accepted the code and explained that even though it did not replace existing company codes, it was intended to represent best business practices beyond core labour rights.

Mr. Wilson Atta Krofah, president of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), said the code aimed at improving the country's business culture to conform to international standards. Mr. Krofah said OHS, HIV/AIDS and gender issues, which had a bearing on productivity, featured prominently in the code. He noted that OHS was increasingly becoming complex and challenging for enterprises as employers were required to create safe and conducive working environment to enhance productivity.

Mr. Krofah stressed that business organisations should handle gender issues professionally and to make the workplace congenial for employees irrespective of their gender. He advised companies not to formulate policies that would discriminate against employees living with HIV/AIDS because they deserved fair treatment like their colleagues. The workshop was the second in the series to be organised nationwide with the first event held in Accra.