The hospitality industry in Ghana has been urged to confront hidden human rights risks such as child labour, unsafe working conditions, unfair wages and exploitation within supply chains.

The call was made in Accra on August 22, 2025, at the launch of a Human Rights Advocacy Campaign organised by the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel.

The event, held under the theme “Spotting and Addressing Human Rights Risks in Hospitality and Supply Chains”, brought together government officials, legal experts, human rights institutions, civil society organisations and industry stakeholders.

Welcoming participants, Mr Isaac Okpoti Adjei, General Manager of the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, said that behind the elegance of hotels and the efficiency of supply networks often lay “unseen vulnerabilities” that must be addressed.

He cited risks of forced labour, child labour, unsafe working conditions and environmental exploitation as challenges requiring vigilance. He added that hotels and their suppliers must improve due diligence processes, adopt transparent audits and create safe channels for workers to report abuses.

The Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, who delivered the government’s address, said human rights in the workplace were not privileges but “universal entitlements” that safeguard the dignity of every worker.

He said government would continue to strengthen labour laws, enforce decent wages, eliminate child labour and promote social dialogue. He noted that the recent launch of Ghana’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights showed the state’s resolve to deal with abuses linked to business operations.

Mr Edmund Amarkwei Foley, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Commission, said the hospitality sector faced challenges including sexual harassment, gender bias, poor safety standards and employment discrimination.

He recommended that hotels adopt zero tolerance policies on harassment, ensure equal pay for equal work, provide safety equipment and training, and implement grievance redress systems. “The hospitality industry plays a role in bringing cultures together, but it can also be a nightmare if labour rights are violated,” he cautioned.

Ms Mercy Larbi, Deputy Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), urged businesses to set up human rights desks, appoint officers to monitor workplace practices and conduct regular due diligence.

She said Ghana had recently joined four African countries in developing a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which requires companies to show respect for human rights in their operations and supply chains.

The campaign launch was attended by representatives of the Attorney-General’s Department, labour organisations, civil society groups and traditional leaders.

It is expected to serve as a platform for promoting fair labour practices, ethical sourcing and the protection of human dignity within Ghana’s hospitality industry.