Ratification nears on global principles on extractives

Abiodun Baiyewu, Global Rights Director for West Africa, has said that Ghana’s readiness to ratify the Voluntary Principles (VPs) on Security and Human Rights in the extractives sector will create goodwill for trade and investment, and security for resource communities.

 

“Ghana has advanced in negotiations and discussions in signing the VPs, and we are hoping that Ghana will be the first to ratify it in Africa ahead of South Africa.

“Signing the VPs will boost investor confidence, leading to an increase in trade opportunities and goodwill, and the facilitation of better trade relations between companies and communities,” she said. 

The VPs on Security and Human Rights, launched in 2000, are a set of principles designed to guide companies in maintaining the safety and security of their operations within a framework that encourages respect for human rights while helping companies work effectively with Governments that seek to protect human rights.

The VPs are also a useful tool for all Governments with an interest in operations of the extractive industries, and can help contribute to the protection of human rights and the prevention of conflict.

Co-financed and developed by the International Council on Mining and Metals, the International Finance Corporation, the Global Oil and Gas Industry Association for Environmental and Social Issues, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the VPs aim to assist extractive companies balance security concerns with human rights.

It is a tripartite multi-stakeholder initiative with participating States, 11 NGOs, 20 companies and five organisations with observer status as at May 2012.

Baiyewu was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a two-day workshop to deepen media awareness and educate Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the VPs on Security and Human Rights in oil and mining communities in Accra.

The workshop -- which was organised jointly by the Global Rights, Nigeria, and the Livelihood and Environment, Ghana, (LEG), both NGOs -- was targetted at exploring the role of CSOs in the implementation and application of VPs  and  ensuring that Ghana signs on to the principles.

Austin Onuoha, a consultant with the African Centre for Corporate Responsibility and a facilitator at the workshop, explained that the VPs were developed in response to reports of human rights abuses allegedly committed by security providers contracted by extractives companies.

He said although observing VPs in oil and mining communities is cheaper and cost-effective compared to recruiting a large number of security personnel to maintain their oil and mining business environment, no African country has yet signed on to them.

Studies have shown that oil and mining industries could succeed in working and making their profits without necessarily posing any security or human rights threats to the communities in which they operate if they adhere to the VPs, Mr. Onuoha said.

“The VPs provide for regular consultations between companies, host-Governments and local communities; deal with issues of proportionality and use of force; ensure improved company engagement for protection of human rights by security contractors; as well as regular monitoring of progress of investigations into alleged abuses, among other things.

“Although questions have been raised about lack of transparency, mainly because of the confidential nature of the dialogue on which the VPs are based, there have also been concerns about actual implementation of the principles and the participation criteria. 

“The challenge, however, is to ensure the legal ratification of the VPs by countries to make them more binding to the extractives industry and to safeguard the safety and human rights of inhabitants of oil and mining communities on the continent,” he said.

Richard Adjei-Poku, Executive Director, LEG, expressed hope that through the workshop much education and awareness  will be created among  CSOs, local NGOs and the media to enhance advocacy and move Ghana to quickly sign on to the VPs.

He indicated that the VPs will promote a better business environment and provide a platform to engage with multinational extractives companies and civil society in mutual learning and joint problem-solving on security and human rights.

“It can also support Government policy objectives, including poverty alleviation, investment, and conflict prevention. Signing the VPs will help reduce conflict in the extractives industry and reduce costs related to insecurity, as well as promote greater transparency and accountability that can improve a country’s investment climate,” Mr. Adjei-Poku remarked.