A/HRC/22/6 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its fourteenth session from 22 October to 5 November 2012. The review of Ghana was held at the 4th meeting on 23 October 2012. The delegation of Ghana was headed by Ebo Barton Odro, Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister for Justice. At its 10th meeting, held on 29 October 2012, the Working Group adopted the report on Ghana. 2. On 3 May 2012, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Ghana: Angola, Norway and Qatar. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Ghana: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation given in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/14/GHA/1); (b) A compilation prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/14/GHA/2 and Corr.1); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/14/GHA/3 and Corr.1). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was transmitted to Ghana through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review (UPR). I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of Ghana conveyed greetings from the President, John Dramani Mahama, and paid tribute to the late John Evans Atta Mills, former President of the Republic of Ghana, who died on 24th July 2012, for his commitment and contribution to peace, not only in Ghana but in Africa as a whole. He was a strong advocate for human rights, due process and the rule of law. He also valued the independence of the judiciary and other institutions and worked tirelessly to promote these principles. 6. Ghana’s obligation to uphold the human rights of its people is enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, which provides for the establishment of institutions charged, inter alia, with safeguarding the human rights of the people of Ghana, guaranteeing the people’s access to justice, ensuring the independence of the Media, and empowering the people to contribute to the governance and development of the country. 7. The National Report for Ghana’s review sets out some developments since the first UPR in May, 2008. The delegation acknowledged the significant contributions of the bilateral and multilateral partners by way of budgetary and technical support. Ghana is mindful of the effects of the global economic crises on its development partners. Ghana is, however, still committed to its development programmes, particularly in matters affecting health, education, housing and delivery of other basic services. 3