A/HRC/8/36 Page 3 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 second session from 5 to 19 May 2008. The review of Ghana was held at the 2nd meeting on 5 May 2008. The delegation of Ghana was headed by H.E. Mr. Joe Ghartey, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. For the composition of the delegation, composed of 11 members, see annex below. At its 6th meeting held on 7 May 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Ghana. 2. On 28 February 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Ghana: the Netherlands, Bolivia and Sri Lanka. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Ghana: (a) A national report submitted made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/GHA/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/GHA/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/GHA/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Canada, Denmark, Sweden, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands was transmitted to Ghana through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the Universal Periodic Review. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 2nd meeting, on 5 May 2008, H.E. Mr. Joe Ghartey, Minister of Justice and Attorney General and representative of Ghana, introduced the national report. In its presentation, he noted that many delegations in their advance questions recognized the commitment of Ghana to human rights. Ghana has become a more tolerant society and over the last 15 years has steadily increased respect of the rule of law. In the 2005 Country Review Report of the African Peer Review Mechanism under the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), of which Ghana was the first country to be reviewed, it is noted in paragraph 44 that there is little evidence of direct human rights violations over the five-year period of 1999 to 2004. Nonetheless, some challenges remained and various strategies had been developed to address them, including in the areas of education and the national health insurance programme, and programmes adopted to address child labour and youth employment. Ghana passed legislative acts, including the Law on Human Trafficking and the Law on Domestic Violence, ratified international treaties and has a comprehensive anti-corruption programme on course. Ghana cooperates with West African States, especially on human trafficking. There has been increased budgetary support for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) since 2002, in addition to support by development partners. Ghana noted that despite a communication gap at a certain point, the national report was prepared with the active involvement of civil society and that their views and concerns have been captured in the report. A follow-up mechanism will be coordinated by the Attorney General’s Office to monitor the implementation of the recommendations ensuing from the review.