Ghana VPs Report: National Roundtable, February 2017 – Ghana | Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

The third National Dialogue on Security and Human Rights in Ghana was held on the 22nd February 2017 in Accra, bringing together companies, civil society, and government. The dialogue took place as part of the Fund For Peace (FFP) and the West Africa Network for Peace Building, Ghana (WANEP-Ghana) program focused on supporting Ghana’s implementation of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs). The 30-month program commenced in July 2015, and is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for Democracy, Rights and Labor.

The program goal is to foster a more permissive and accepting environment for security and human rights implementation projects in Ghana. This is being done through a series of local training workshops and dialogues in the target areas where there are oil/gas or mining operations in the Upper East Region (Gbani near Bolgatanga), Western Region (Takoradi and Tarkwa), Volta Region (Keta), Brong-Ahafo Region (Kenyasi), and Ashanti Region (Obuasi). These local activities have been feeding into an established national-level forum, which have so far been held in July and October 2016, and most recently, on 22nd February 2017. In attendance at this third National Dialogue were representatives from key Ghana Government ministries including the Ghana Army and Navy, Ministry of the Interior, Petroleum Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Minerals Commission, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General, Ministry of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Private sector representatives included the Ghana Chamber of Mines, AngloGold Ashanti, Newmont Mining, Kosmos Energy, ENI Ghana, Tullow, and G4S. Civil society was represented by WANEP-Ghana, as well as the WANEP regional office, along with FFP and the media. International partners in attendance included the U.S., Australian, Canadian, Dutch, and Swiss governments.

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During the National Dialogue, stakeholders discussed some broader priorities for VPs implementation which could complement the three year National Action Plan (NAP) developed by Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. These areas include:

Raising Industry Standards for Private Security Providers

Increased awareness and training of private security providers in Ghana, to raise the industry standards on security and human rights practices. On the government side, this could be done by the responsible ministry (currently the Ministry of Interior) amending the private security provider regulations on licensing, to require compliance with tenets of security and human rights. On the company side, this requires companies to continue vetting private security providers through their tender processes, and monitoring compliance once contracts are executed, to ensure they meet the necessary security and human rights standards. On the civil society side, it was requested that NGOs do outreach to the Ghana private security sector, to share knowledge and training resources on respect for human rights in security deployments.

Standardized Security & Human Rights Training Curriculum for Public Security

Establishment of standardized training on the core tenets of the VPs, through a recognized education institution, which can be used for training of Ghana public security forces. This curriculum could then be used for the Ghana Armed Forces, as well as the Ghana police and private security providers. This would require cross-Ministry collaboration to establish, with support from other partners.

Cross-sector Collaboration on Reducing Security Risks Posed by Illegal Artisanal Small-scale Mining

Increased cross-sectoral collaboration on addressing illegal ASM. Known commonly to some as “Galamsey”, the issue of illegal ASM is a key security risk for companies, security providers and communities alike. Bringing together government ministries and commissions, alongside civil society and companies, in the efforts to address the complex issues of illegal ASM, the security risks to communities, site operations and security personnel will be reduced. As these issues are being looked at by key Government institutions (such as the Minerals Commission), as well as other outside partners, a multi-stakeholder forum to share information and approaches could enhance efforts.

Increased Coordination of Oil/Gas Companies, Government, Communities

Increased collaboration between oil and gas companies and key government ministries, to communicate effectively with communities and fishermen, and reduction of the risk of tension or conflict around on-shore and off-shore sites. This could be done through a sustainable multi-stakeholder forum, that could be timed to coincide with the establishment of a Working Group between companies, NGOs and governments. This Working Group would be part of a new pilot initiative from the VPs international initiative, which is seeking to establish local meeting platforms in Ghana, along with Myanmar, Nigeria and Peru. It was highlighted that the Ghana government should play a leading coordination role in this group.

The next national roundtable will be scheduled for July 2017 in Accra, Ghana.