Network Ghana welcomes two German Ministers in Accra

We stand united for integrity! This was the message of the speakers and guests at a reception held by the Alliance for Integrity in Accra on 21 February. More than 80 representatives from politics, civil society and businesses participated and exchanged on the issue of compliance in supply chains.

The reception was organized on the occasion of the visit of Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Hubertus Heil, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, to Ghana. “Germany and Ghana have a strong relationship and as democratic societies, they share a common interest”, said Svenja Schulze in her opening remarks. Her colleague Hubertus Heil stated: “Good governance, compliance, anti-corruption, and human rights are the same side of the coin.” He stressed the importance of integrity of institutions and governments in both countries.

The two German ministers had traveled to Ghana to see first-hand how the implementation of new supply chain regulations can lead to the respect of human rights and decent work conditions in the supply chains. They were accompanied by Gilbert F. Houngbo, Director General of the International Labour Organization, who also attended the reception and underlined in his welcoming address that fairness is key when it comes to trade, supply chains and migration.

During the reception the Chair of the Ghanaian Advisory Group of the Alliance for Integrity and CEO of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, Kosi Yankey-Ayeh pointed out: “To reach real integrity, we have to transform the way we are doing business and especially address women in business who – as international traders – are part of the supply chain.”

During the following panel discussion with the partners of the Alliance for Integrity, moderated by Susanne Friedrich, Director of the Alliance for Integrity, Linda Ofori-Kwafo, Executive Director of the Ghana Integrity Initiative, explained the link between anti-corruption and the prevention of human rights violations and the promotion of decent work. Frank Abdulai Iddrisu, Financial Crimes Investigator at the Fidelity Bank Ghana and trainer at the Alliance for Integrity, spoke about his company’s engagement in the Alliance for Integrity and mentioned examples of illegal mining and deforestation, where compliance efforts have to be fostered in Ghana.

The President Elect of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Ing. Kwabena Bempong, presented his organization’s approach to promote integrity and explained why compliance training is mandatory to all members of his institution: “Integrity is not taught in engineering career. But engineers have a very responsible position, and we have to raise awareness on risks, grey areas and dilemma situations like commercial interests versus ethical principles”, he said.

Among the event guests were further partners of the Alliance for Integrity, such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, the Public Procurement Agency, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, and Contracta.