Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
Accra, Ghana - The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) officially launched Ghana's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights today, marking a significant milestone in the country's commitment to protecting human rights in the business sector.
Commissioner Mr. Joseph Whittal of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) led the launch, highlighting the plan's extensive development process.
The initiative emerged from Ghana's commitment during the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review, where the country supported recommendations to integrate business and human rights principles.
The journey began with a national baseline assessment funded by the NPP for Human Rights, which identified critical gaps in applying United Nations guiding principles. An 18-member sectoral national steering committee, co-chaired by the Office of the Attorney General, conducted comprehensive stakeholder consultations across Ghana's 16 regions.
A unique aspect of the launch was the plan's publication in both hard copy and Braille, underscoring Ghana's commitment to inclusivity. Commissioner Whittal proudly noted that this NAP might be the most robust in Africa, developed through extensive consultations with diverse demographic groups
Madam Mercy Larbi, Deputy Commissioner of CHRAJ highlighted that the plan stems from Ghana's 2017 Universal Periodic Review commitment to implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The three-year collaborative effort involved multiple stakeholders, including UNDP, the Government of Japan, Action Aid, UNICEF, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The national steering committee, co-chaired by the Office of the Attorney General and CHRAJ, developed a comprehensive and pragmatic action plan.
Madam mercy Larbi emphasized the importance of the plan, calling it "robust" and noting that its success depends on the active participation of all stakeholders to ensure Ghana's compliance with international human rights standards.
The plan aims to establish clear frameworks for preventing, mitigating, and remedying human rights violations in business settings. Key governmental bodies, including parliamentary select committees, have already signaled strong support for the initiative.
International organizations like UNEP, UNICEF, Oxfam, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights provided crucial support throughout the plan's development.
By launching this NAP, Ghana joins Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, and Liberia in creating a structured approach to ensuring corporate accountability and human rights protection.
The Commission has committed to establishing a dedicated implementation secretariat and will actively monitor the plan's execution across various sectors.
This groundbreaking initiative represents a significant milestone in Ghana's ongoing efforts to balance economic development with robust human rights protections.