A/HRC/22/6 115. Botswana commended Ghana for its clear commitment to promoting and protecting human rights. Botswana appreciated the institutional improvements in Ghana and the recent constitutional review as well as gender equality and property inheritance legislation, and improved birth registration. It made a recommendation. 116. Brazil recalled the concern it raised in 2008 on the lack of gender perspective in the implementation of the Rent Act and was pleased to know that this Act was being reviewed. It commended Ghana for its efforts in decreasing HIV/Aids prevalence, especially by controlling new infections and reducing mother-to-child transmission. Brazil made recommendations. 117. The delegation stated that, as part of efforts to address the gaps in its human rights framework, the Government is working with the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the National Human Rights Institution and other stakeholders to develop a national Human Rights Action Plan (NHAP). In addition, the MOWAC is working closely with CHRAJ and other stakeholders to put in place a comprehensive gender action plan to specifically address the gender inequality that persists in the social set-up. 118. On the issue of legal costs to victims of violence, proceedings brought are criminal in nature and instituted by the State, and the victims incur no costs. In some cases, judges are given the mandate to award some compensation to victims. 119. The Constitutional Review Commission, set up to review the 1992 Constitution of Ghana with a view to making recommendations for strengthening of the Governance architecture, has submitted its report to the Government. The Government has accepted the majority of their recommendations, and consultations are ongoing to examine the feasibility of the other recommendations yet to be accepted. A Committee has been set up to consider the implementation of the accepted recommendations. 120. The Commission recommended the creation of an independent fund to finance the advocacy activities and institutional-building programmes of the independent governance institutions such as the Judiciary, Electoral Commission, Media Commission, CHRAJ and the National Commission for Civic Education. This recommendation is intended to have regard to the need to safeguard the independence, neutrality and impartiality of the governance institutions tasked with the promotion of human rights. In this regard, the Government will welcome any suggestions, contributions or support from the international community that will strengthen the capacity of these critical institutions to deliver on their mandate. Many of the questions raised during the interactive sessions were addressed in the Deputy Minister’s introductory remarks, especially on the death penalty and harmful cultural practices. 121. In response to concerns about the upcoming elections to take place on 7 December 2012, the delegation assured the Council that the Government was committed to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. To further enhance transparency of the process, a biometric registration of eligible voters has been introduced for the very first time in the country’s electoral history. The Government has also taken concrete steps to adequately resource the Electoral Commission as well as other relevant institutions, which are actively involved in educating the public on their rights and obligations during the elections. He assured the Council that government is doing its best to ensure that all play their part in safeguarding the independence neutrality and impartiality of the governance institutions tasked with promoting human rights. 122. The delegation thanked the UPR Working Group for the opportunity given to Ghana to engage the Working Group in the review of its human rights framework. Ghana looks forward to a fruitful collaboration in implementing the recommendations that it would accept. 14

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