The Artisans Association of Ghana has subscribed to the United Nations Global Compact.
The UN Global Compact helps companies bring change to the world by adopting the Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption in their business practices and policies.
It has the resources to equip companies to transform themselves into better and more sustainable entities.
Some of the resources available include SDG Ambition Program, SDG Action Manager Tool, Decent Work Tool, The UN Global Compact Academy, SDG Pioneer Program, and Sustainable Finance.
In Ghana, the UN Global Compact Network has a number of initiatives that it is running. These include: The West Africa Gender Equality Initiative (WAGE), Poverty Alleviation (Business response to COVID 19), SDG Pioneer Program, The Ethically Aware Supplier Induction Program (Partnership with the Ethics Institute, South Africa)
The President of the Artisans Association of Ghana, Mr. Gideon Bidor, who is elated about the feat, said they are committed to keeping the sustainable development goals in every aspect of activities of the Association.
He acknowledged that joining the Compact came at a time the world is experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is therefore the need for businesses to thrive on strategies and policies.
“We are grateful to be a partnering member of this worthy course and just like we always deliver on every important mandate, keeping the ten principles of the UN Global Compact (Human Rights, Labor, Environment, and anti-corruption) will be added to our hallmark and observed by every member of the Association” he added.
The Artisans Association of Ghana is a social enterprise that enables sustainable livelihoods for men, women, and youth in the informal sector, skill training, and upgrading in the artisan industry.
The Association, which can boast of over 26,000 members with 75%, mostly the youth within the age bracket of 18-35, whiles 36 and above make up the 25%. It is linked with the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training.(COTVET),
In addition to other training providers, they train in trade skills such as Masonry, Electricals, plumbing, steel bending, welding, tiling, landscaping, etc. The Association has many successful projects with the Global communities, Gratis Foundation, African Career Centre, BUSAC FUND, Skill development Fund, and World University Service of Canada (WUSC,) etc.
