Workshop on human rights and security observed

An awareness workshop on the Voluntary Principles on security and human rights in the extractive industries in Ghana, have been held in Accra for media practitioners and Civil Society Organizations [CSOs].

Participants for the two day workshop organized by Global Rights-Ghana, a Civil Society Organization [CSO], were drawn from government, extractive industry workers and experts, environmentalists, CSOs and the media.

The 30 participants drawn from within and outside Accra, deliberated on negative issues affecting extractive industries and their host communities, and ways of addressing them.

The gathering has among other things the objectives to deepen the awareness of CSOs in the country on Voluntary Principles [VPs] and to update them on the Principle’s process in Ghana.

It is, to also explore their roles in the implementation and application of the VPs locally, to familiarize CSOs in Ghana with other frameworks and to introduce them to the issues and work around human rights and business that the workshop was organized.

Among the topics captured during the gathering were security and human rights at workplaces, conflicts between extractive companies, employers and the host communities etc.

Participants applauded the proactive commitment of the Government of Ghana through the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, who has affirmed the government’s willingness to sign on to the Voluntary Principles.

They also applaud the efforts of CHRAJ under the leadership of Commissioner Lauretta Lamptey in supporting the promotion of the Voluntary Principles to enhance the respect for human rights in Ghana.

In a communiqué, they applauded and acknowledged the commitment of some companies in Ghana for demonstrating their willingness to apply the principles in their lines of business.

The communiqué mentioned Anglo Gold Ashanti, Hess Corporation, Newmont Ghana Gold and Tullow oil as the extractive companies that have shown their commitments to the VPs, and called on them to ensure they live up to the aspirations of the Principles by actively implementing them.

‘’We, representatives of civil society in Ghana, welcome collaboration between us, the government, CHRAJ, and extractive companies in the in-country processes leading up to the signing of the Voluntary Principles as well as the implementation roll out thereafter’’.

Given the recent expansion and activities in Ghana’s extractive industry, the 30 participants called on government to speedily ensure the adoption and implementation of the Voluntary Principles as promised, and invite other companies to sign on and implement the same.

The Voluntary Principles are a set of guidelines which promote security and respect for human rights in the extractive industry, we therefore welcome its adoption by the government of Ghana, as it will undoubtedly improve the relationship between corporations and their host communities, the Communiqué concluded.

In her closing remarks, Miss. Abi Bayewu, Africa Director for Global Rights, thanked participants and urged them to impact the knowledge they have acquired in the two day gathering in their various work places to ensure respect for human rights.