A/HRC/8/36 Page 13 life. As to the programme to improve the means of assistance in order to combating poverty, Chile asked if the beneficiaries will benefit from a medium or long term follow up of this programme. 62. Bosnia and Herzegovina recognized the political commitment by Ghana to promote and protect human rights, in particular through the ratification of international human rights instruments. It requested more information on the best practices, experiences and achievements of the CHRAJ through its reporting to Parliament. It referred to concerns expressed by the CRC on the number of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and that the number of orphanages was increasing, and requested additional information on the measures taken by the CHRAJ to adequately respond to this situation. 63. The United Republic of Tanzania noted that Ghana was the first country to accede to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). It noted that FGM has been criminalized under Ghanaian law and that practitioners have developed new strategies including going beyond the borders of Ghana to perform this dehumanizing act. It asked what measures are being envisaged to address the problem which has taken a regional dimension, and what kind of policy actions the Government contemplate as it seems laws alone cannot solve the problem. It also asked if Ghana could pronounce whether it will be the first country in Africa to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. 64. Cote d’Ivoire stated that modern Ghana is an example of participatory democracy, and pioneer undergoing African Peer Review Mechanism. Ghana is a haven of peace and stability and has undertaken significant reforms including economic, social and cultural rights. It asked how the Government intends to reconcile his increasing openness to freedoms with cultural traditions that are resistant and part of their identity. 65. Morocco welcomed steps taken to promote democracy and good governance and also to ensure truth in regard to past actions by the Government. It asked whether the decentralisation undertaken by the Government has also been implied in management of human rights. It noted efforts made in promotion and protection of children’s and women’s rights, especially with regard to promoting the rights to education. Morocco asked for more information about the Ghanaian national plan and programme on education of children. 66. The Syrian Arab Republic noted Ghana’s achievements in the field of women’s empowerment, reduction of the poverty level, health care, workers’ protection and children’s education. It noted that Ghana did acknowledge the existence of many challenges, like foreign debt, inadequate resources and disaster management as well as violence against women despite the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act in 2007. In the light of paragraph 65 of the national report it asked about legal and other measures taken to address the high rate of violence against children, mob justice and the issue of “cultural secrecy” associated with the victims’ unwillingness to disclose their traumas and agonies. 67. In responding to questions, Ghana stressed that the judiciary is independent, that it is not the entire system that is corrupt, and that the judiciary is taking steps to tackle the issue. Two judges and a court registrar were being tried by a judicial complaints unit. Judicial reform makes the judiciary more independent and more efficient, including with new recording methods. Saturday courts have been introduced to address the backlog of cases. Ghana is working on addressing the corruption in the public sector. With regard to the right to housing, the Rent Act is being amended and some of the concerns raised will be addressed. On issues of child labour, the nature of the support provided by the Government includes counseling, financial support and education. The Minister of Education, the Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice attending the UPR review reflect Ghana’s twin approach to human rights: education and law enforcement. Ghana will