Global Compact Accra Launched

The Global Compact-Ghana was yesterday launched at the offices of the UNDP in Accra by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Nana Akufo-Addo.

The Global Compact, which is an initiative of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, was launched with a call on businesses world-wide to help build the social and environmental framework to support and ensure the continuation of open and free markets, whilst guaranteeing that people everywhere have a chance to share the benefits of the new global economy.

The nine principles which the Global Compact encompasses are from the area of human rights (drawn from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights), labour (drawn from the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work), and the environment (drawn from the Rio Principles on Environment and Development). These principles have been accepted by most of the national governments around the world; hence they are often referred to as "universal principles".

The lead UN agencies involved are the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR). The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is also involved in assisting the agencies in developing country specific response and activities.

The principles of the Compact are based on UN General Assembly Resolutions and Declarations of UN Conferences, thus sponsored by governments and are aimed at ensuring businesses are operated with an eye on human rights and labour issues; and that work processes are environmentally friendly and sustainable. The Global Compact is one way for employers to demonstrate publicly how they promote and support the universal principles of human rights, fundamental principles and rights at work and environmental sustainability. Employers need to continue to show that they can react positively to these issues by demonstrating good practices.

Government support for the Compact means aligning itself to globally accepted rules of doing business and best practices in corporate governance; a sine qua non for FDIs. It also indicates government's commitment to the welfare of labour and human rights issues in the workplace. Getting businesses to operate along the lines of the principles will minimize tensions between employees and labour, enhance productivity and overall performance of the business sector, this is in tune with Government's 'Golden Age of Business'.

The following twenty-two companies have been invited to sign-onto the Compact in Ghana: VRA, VALCO, Standard Chartered Bank, Mobil Ghana Ltd, UNILEVER, Aboso Gold Fields Ltd, Goldfields Ltd, Mim Timbers, SAMARTEX Timbers, Barclays Bank, Ghana Commercial Bank, Poku Transport, GHACEM Ltd, Ghana Manganese Co Ltd, Ghana Bauxite Company, Resolute Amansie, Satellite Goldfields Ltd, Sian Goldfields Ltd, Chirano Goldmines, Normandy Ghana Gold Ltd, Bonte Gold Mines and Bogoso Goldmines.

The Ghana Global Compact has these personalities as members forming the Advisory Council/Committee: Professor Alex A. Kwapong, Hon. Kwamena Bartels, Mrs. Cecilia Bannerman, Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr. J.L.S Abbey, Mr. Ato Ampiah, Mr. Kwasi Adu Amankwah, Prof. S. Ayensu, Mr. Theo Anderson, Mr. Ebenezer Essouka, Mr. Ishmael Yamson, Mrs. Gifty Affenyi-Dadzie, Mr. John Yaw Atta-Nyamekye Mr. Kweku Awotwi, Mr. Jimmy Aggrey-Orleans, Mr. Alfred S. Fawundu, Mr. Bruno Lefevre and Mr. Akmel Akpa.