Support to the private sector, especially micro and small enterprises, was also mentioned as noteworthy. Improving access to water and sanitation was also commended.

Main points of the report are :

Democracy and good political governance : Security of life and property

Ghanaians are of the opinion that the security system is offering them protection against torture (48 percent), arbitrary detention (59 percent), violent crime (armed robbery) (55 percent), ethnic conflict (60 percent) and domestic violence (53 percent).

Cultural practices harmful to women

The Criminal Code of 1998 has been amended to criminalise harmful widowhood rites and ritual servitude. A strengthened law on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been presented to Parliament.

Child trafficking and child labour

The Human Trafficking Law has been passed. One hundred and twenty child protection volunteer teams have been established in a number of communities to serve as watchdogs for children.

Fighting corruption in the public sphere

The Whistleblowers Act, 2006 (Act 720) has been passed. The Freedom of Information Bill has been revised and submitted to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General for consideration.

However, Ghanaians (89 percent) were of the opinion that corruption is widespread in the public sector, and only 23 percent thought the government was doing enough to fight the menace.

Promotion and protection of the rights of women

The Domestic Violence Bill received a second reading in Parliament. Labour law provides for equal opportunity for training and working in the mining industry and criminalises sexual harassment in the workplace.

Promotion and protection of the children and young persons

Gross enrolment ratio has increased to 78.2 percent for Kindergarten, 89.9 percent for primary, 73 percent for junior and 29.06 for senior schools as at September 2006.

All 138 districts have one NEPAD School Feeding Programme. All pupils board the Mass Metro Transport free of charge to and from school.

Economic governance and management The economy continues to experience deepening macro economic stability and resilience, with rising GDP growth, diminishing inflationary expectations, a stable currency and a build-up of secondary reserves.

Corporate governance The country continues to enjoy a B+ rating from both Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. The country ranks 82nd in the World Bank Study – Doing Business in 2006. The survey also found Ghana as the 9th easiest place to do business in Africa. In West Africa, Ghana ranks number 1 as the easiest place to do business.

Poor public service delivery, industrial unrest and environmental concerns continue to be the dark spots on the corporate front. Source : NEPAD News, February 9, 2007