Ghana Business Code Recognizes Gold Members

The Ghana Business Code has presented gold membership certificates to seven companies out of 160 who registered with it for upholding best business practices.

Ghana Business Code was initiated in 2006 by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Ghana Employers Association and the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) with funding from the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).

It is aimed at improving the culture of doing business to develop the private sector in the country.

The business code, which is modeled on the UN Global Compact, focuses on internationally accepted practices in the areas of human rights, labour standards, care for the environment and anti-corruption within the framework of business members who sign on voluntarily.

The members are expected to adhere to acceptable business practices, including the protection and respect of the rights of employees.

The recipients of the gold membership who had gone through independent evaluation included Toyota Ghana Limited, Tropical Cables and Conductors Limited, TV3 Network, PZ Cussons Limited, Wileb Mining Suppliers, Kasapa Telecom Limited and Nexans Kabel Metal Limited.

At the launch of the gold membership certification scheme of the Ghana Business Code, Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, in a speech read on her behalf, commended players in the private sector for developing and adopting the code and committing to its full implementation.

“It demonstrates the corporate sector' willingness to refine business strategies and practices in conformity with recognize international best practices.

“It also portrays a willingness to contribute to the goals of sustainable development, poverty reduction and good governance,” she stated.

She urged all members of the three associations to adopt the code, expressing the hope that the Gold membership certificate would become the stamp of excellence in ethical business conduct and premium brand.

Minister of Employment and Social Welfare, Stephen Amoanor, on his part, noted that though compliance with the tenets of the code would be challenging, it could result in long-term remunerations.

The Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Stig Barlyng pledged to make the list of the seven companies available at the reception of his outfit as a way of advertising their achievements.

The outgoing President of AGI, Tony Oteng Gyasi, stated that business associations recognized that globalization requires Ghanaian businesses to improve their practices to meet internationally standards.

“It is against this background that the business associations are firmly involved in ensuring that companies which sign on to the code live by its tenets,” he noted.

Mr. Oteng Gyasi used the opportunity to appeal to government to lend more support to initiatives of the private sector by directing and encouraging the ministries and government agencies to sign on to the code.

Atta Krofa, President of GNCCI said, “Ghana will grow to become the leading business destination in the world, if companies sign onto the code and practice its principles.

By Emelia Ennin Abbey