“A Major Breakthrough For Human Rights Protection”

Accra, Ghana – July 11, 2025

Ghana has made a significant breakthrough in its efforts to protect human rights by launching its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. The plan, developed through a collaborative effort between government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners, aims to ensure that businesses respect human rights and provide remedies for victims of human rights abuses.

Representing the Honorable Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayeni, Dr. Mrs. Sylvia Adusu, Chief State Attorney, emphasized that the plan is a major milestone in Ghana’s commitment to advancing human rights protection. She noted that the plan’s development was informed by a national baseline assessment on business and human rights, which identified gaps in the country’s business and human rights ecosystem.

The national baseline assessment was validated in July 2021, and the National Steering Committee on Business and Human Rights was inaugurated on July 4, 2022, under the co-chairmanship of the then Attorney General and Minister for Justice. The committee conducted nationwide stakeholder consultations to gather inputs into the draft plan, which was later validated and submitted to the Attorney General’s Office in November 2023.

Dr. Adusu expressed delight that Ghana has joined the league of nations in Africa that have developed National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, particularly after hosting the first African Business and Human Rights Forum in Accra in 2022. She commended the hard work of the National Steering Committee and Coordinating Committee, as well as the support of international partners, including the Government of Japan and other organizations.

The launch of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights is expected to enhance Ghana’s commitment to business and human rights, and demonstrate its readiness to adopt and implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The plan’s implementation will be crucial in ensuring that businesses respect human rights and provide remedies for victims of human rights abuses.

Dr. Adusu called on all partners to support the implementation of the plan and commended the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice for its role in ensuring that the plan’s objectives are achieved. With the launch of the National Action Plan, Ghana takes a significant step towards promoting responsible business practices and protecting human rights.

The event marked a major milestone in Ghana’s efforts to advance human rights protection and promote responsible business practices.

As the country moves forward, it is expected that the plan will serve as a framework for ensuring that businesses respect human rights and provide remedies for victims of human rights abuses.

Story by Fada Amakye from Daily Sun online