A/HRC/8/36
Page 10
programmes in place to address the challenge of the right of access to water and sanitation in
Ghana.
44.
Turkey asked whether Ghana envisages preparing a general national human rights action
plan. It further asked about initiatives to educate and engage traditional and religious leaders in the
elimination of customs and practices particularly harmful to girl children and women, as well as
about initiatives to prohibit corporal punishment of children in all settings, including the family and
school environment. It appreciated the work of the CHRAJ, but referred to reports suggesting that
the Commission is suffering from the lack of adequate financial resources and asked about plans
aimed at addressing this problem.
45.
Switzerland recommended that Ghana share its experiences regarding the African Peer
Review Mechanism and National Reconciliation Mechanism which can constitute best practices. It
also recommended Ghana to enhance efforts to protect rights of women and children as some
cultural and traditional practices constitute a violation of human rights. It shared the view of the
Ghanaian Commission that police brutality is increasing as well as street justice, perhaps driven by
slow justice system, and recommended to combat and sanction police brutalities and reform the
judicial system.
46.
Switzerland also recommended the adoption of a moratorium leading to the abolition of the
death penalty.
47.
Germany referred to the OHCHR compilation and the stakeholders report which state that
trafficking in persons, in particular child trafficking remains a serious concern. Germany asked how
the implementation of the Human Trafficking Act can be improved to better address this issue. By
referring to the Stakeholder report and the effects by large-scale mining operations, it asked for an
elaboration on the adverse consequences such as forced evictions, loss of access to safe drinking
water or access to farm land. It also asked what measures is Ghana prepared to take to protect the
rights of those affected by large scale mining.
48.
The United States of America asked what steps Ghana is taking to ensure that the upcoming
elections in December 2008 will also be free and fair and allow for a smooth and peaceful postelection transition. Noting that in 2007 Ghana amended the Criminal Code to criminalize the
practice of FGM and passed legislation on domestic violence it asked about measures taken to
ensure the enforcement of these laws. It also asked about recent steps to adhere to Ghana’s
international obligations concerning refugees and to ensure progress towards durable solutions for
the remaining Liberian refugees in Ghana.
49.
Slovenia asked and recommended Ghana to effectively implement measures to harmonise
norms of citizenship for foreign spouses to bring these norms in line with the CEDAW in the
shortest time possible. It recommended Ghana to systematically and continuously integrate gender
perspective in the follow-up process to the review. It asked and recommended Ghana to establish
and implement concrete measures in conformity with CEDAW to modify and eliminate customs
and cultural and harmful traditional practices that discriminate against women.
50.
Slovenia also asked and recommended Ghana to effectively implement measures aimed at
eliminating polygamy and bring the norms in line with the CEDAW in the shortest time possible,
and that Ghana’s Criminal Code be amended to decriminalise sexual activity between consenting
adults.
51.
In reply to some questions, Ghana noted that the CHRAJ combines three institutions: an
Ombudsperson institution, a national human rights institution, and an anti-corruption agency for the
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