1. A statement from the CEO of continued support to the UN Global Compact
2. Our Commitment to Human Rights
3. Our Commitment to Labour Principles
4. Our Commitment to Environment Principles
5. Our Commitment to Anti-Corruption Principles

February 2016 – February 2017

Atuabo Freeport Ghana Limited UN Global Compact Report 2017
Period: February 2016 – February 2017

H.E. Antonio Guterres
Secretary General, United Nations
New York
NY10017
USA

Dear Mr. Secretary General,

It is with much pleasure that I submit our first COP reaffirming our commitment to the UN Global Compact goals and principles. It’s been an exciting journey, embedding these principles in our everyday activities these past 12 months.

We remain committed to the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti- Corruption for a better working environment where these principles are strictly adhered to.

We hereby submit our Communication On Progress whilst looking forward to a more exciting year with a firm commitment to these goals and principles.

Yours Sincerely

Steven Gray
Chief Executive Officer

Our Commitment to Human Rights

Atuabo Freeport maintains that adhering to human rights, promotes peace, growth of business and contributes largely to human resource developments. AFP upholds rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights to avoid causing or contributing to adverse human rights impacts through our activities and relationships.

With extreme due diligence, AFP tries as much as possible to avoid infringing on the right of others and always addresses any negative human rights impacts related to the business.

Appropriate and Accessible Grievance Mechanism

Atuabo Freeport ensures that all workers are treated equally without fear or favor. We also ensure that the rights of all staff and people we do business with are safeguarded. To make this possible staff, and communities in which we operate have laid down procedures to report any grievance. Our grievance mechanism allows individual to voice out the grievance by communicating verbally or in writing to the office. The objective of the Grievance and Redress Mechanism is to receive, respond and address any complaints made to the Project very promptly and timely. All grievances related to the Freeport are managed though the Grievance Procedure. This facilitates the speedy resolution of disputes and grievances and promotes trust and build a positive rapport between Atuabo Freeport, its staff and external stakeholders Our Grievance Mechanism functions well ensuring that it:

• Provides a predictable, transparent, and credible process to all parties, resulting in outcomes that are fair, effective, and lasting;

• Builds trust as an integral component of broader community and staff relations activities; and

• Enables more systematic identification of emerging issues and trends, facilitating corrective action and preemptive engagement.

Health is paramount to AFP; a healthy workforce is a wealthy one.
Health wise, Atuabo Freeport is particularly concerned with the well-being of its workers, other workers within the port well as community members along the Freeport enclave and beyond. Occasionally, the External Affairs Division serves notices released by The Ghana Standard Board on harmful consumables. It also alerts staff on disease outbreaks and the precautionary measures to be taken. AFP is also concern with HIV/AIDS which see victims discriminated against.

Atuabo Freeport and UN Aids joint agreement

AFP signed a joint general cooperation agreement with the United Nations Programme on HIV/ AIDS in Accra to strengthen below activities:

a) Cooperation in activities that focus on corporate social responsibility contributing to the achievement of zero new HIV infections, zero aids related deaths and zero discrimination in communities in your area;
b) Cooperation in implementing the HIV/AIDS Prevention Programme.
c) Cooperation in HIV and AIDS sensitization and outreach programmes for community members and workers
d) Cooperation in distribution of Information, Education, and Communication materials as well as condoms
e) Cooperation in the development of workplace policy on HIV/AIDS
f) Cooperation in the provision of medical facility for HIV/AIDS testing, treatment and counseling.
g) Other areas of relevance as the parties may agree from time to time.
UN AIDS also agreed to take up education on other communicable diseases. AFP and the Elembelle District (in Atuabo) Directorate of Health have plans to address health needs of staff and the communities in which we operate.
Fairness to all staff members
Atuabo Freeport is fair to all and gives equal rights to everyone no matter your position when it comes to issues concerning our businesses. At AFP, we make sure we have a fair playing ground where workers are treated fairly.

Atuabo Freeport has suggestion boxes in the communities where it operates and checks periodically for anonymous letters and also goes back to people whose grievances were addressed to check whether parties individuals are satisfied if their grievance resolutions.
When it comes AFP employees one on one sessions are done for people to truly expressed their grievance without any intimidation or vilification.Supporting our local communities
Atuabo Freeport is situated within three communities namely Atuabo, Assemdasauzo and Anorchie. AFP has over the years established and maintained very cordial relationship with its stakeholders including members of these three communities. We ensure that we engage our all our stakeholders thorough dialogue and consultation considering their concerns at every stage.
The local communities have been so much involved in all decisions taken by the company that may affect them. The communities have two representatives each, a male and a female representing them on our Livelihood Restoration Committee. This committee comprises of representatives from government agencies, the national security and the police.
Atuabo Freeport supported the local schools and others in the communities making available 5000 branded exercise books, wall clocks, Printers and desk top computers. Also, AFP donated 33 specially carved stools to the queen mothers of the Elembelle traditional Council. AFP is also supporting the local communities to renovate a 1923 structure that used to be the local post office building.

Development Assistance Trust Fund
Atuabo Freeport is setting up a Development Assistance Trust Fund to assist local communities in development projects. AFP as part of the land lease agreement agreed with the traditional authority of the Eastern Nzema Stool where the project is sited agreed that 0.5% of profit made will be paid into the Trust Fund. The Trust will support development and sustainable social infrastructure projects within the communities impacted directly by the project.

Strengthening Local Economy
To ensure that the local people whose farmlands and fishing space will be taken over by the port are not left jobless, AFP has created a local manpower agency and a database of local expertise is in place. The port and its main contractor will source labour from the database. The agency is a partnership between the traditional authority and Swift Worldwide Resources.
Atuabo Freeport is a local partner in “Invest in Africa” and the supply chain outreach programme African Partnership Pool, seeks to link international companies with the local supply chain community with capacity building programmes available for local supply companies. Additionally, AFP has a transparent procurement portal on our website that allows companies to register and bid for contracts.

Atuabo Freeport is committed to ensuring that both male and female staff have equal rights and a favorable working environment. AFP Policies are not discriminatory and women are given the chance to move up the ladder as well. No gender discrimination whatsoever. AFP recognizes the right of staff to join relevant Trade Union should they want to without hindrance. AFP believes in unity in diversity hence the Freeport employees cut across all ethnic zones based on one’s capabilities and qualifications.

Investing in skills development and welfare of the workforce

Over the past four years Atuabo Freeport has invested in every individual to upgrade their skills by attending workshops, conferences and seminars to enable perform better. In Atuabo Freeport, we believe that skills development leads to high performance and this eventually leads to company growth, providing good salary, improved living standards and better well -being of workers.

During annual reviews and appraisal staff together with their line managers identify training areas and work out modalities for these trainings. Atuabo Freeport has a wide range of multi-discipline staff and continues to nurture and grow these skills for the growth of the company and staff well-being.
Atuabo Freeport recognizes the need for school children within the project area to start planning their future jobs hence AFP instituted “A Career Day” celebration where Professionals talk about their careers and the courses one must read. AFP officials discuss the project and its components to make working at the port attractive to the future generation. The school children in turn write what their future careers are and are guided by professional of these career choices.
Contractors sign a declaration not to employ minors and not to discriminate against any person based on race, colour, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

There is a skills database from which AFP and contractors source for semi-skilled and unskilled labour. Giving equal opportunities to community members who qualify for employment to be hired.

Atuabo Freeport’s Commitment to the Environment
The environment in which we operate is very important to us. AFP adheres strictly to the IFC performance standards, Equator Principles and the Government of Ghana Environmental Protection Laws.

Environmental Development Trust.
Atuabo Freeport recognizes the importance of preserving the environment and intends to do all it can to keep the environment in a healthy state during the life and after of the port. The project is setting up and Environmental Trust Fund to take care of environmental issues including sanitation within the project area and beyond. Funds to run the trust will be drawn from vessels coming into the harbour which do not meet the environmental standards by the Ghana as well as international standards. These vessels will pay a higher fee than those who meet the standards, the difference will go into the Environmental Trust Fund to take care of environmental issues at the harbour and its surrounding community. The Trust will among other things:

promote sustainable environmental protection and management of the natural resources of the communities directly impacted by the operations of Atuabo Free Port;

encourage and support restoration and rehabilitation of environmental projects;

promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural
environment

promote environmental education in the communities;

promote waste avoidance, resource recovery and waste management;

promote projects that will prevent environmental depletion;

fund activities that will create/enhance sustainable environments for the socio-economic
sectors, i.e. agriculture and livestock, health, water and natural resources.
 
We are also in the process of setting up community environmental groups who becomes watch dogs to ensure that everyone protects the environment in their own little ways.

Periodic discussions on the environment with the local communities to understand our project is parting on their surroundings/ environment whether positively or negatively and to find out how much communities know about environmental protection.

Commitment to Anti-Corruption and Bribery

One of the fundamental rules of Atuabo Freeport is to work in full integrity to this end every member of staff signs the anti-corruption and bribery policy when employed.

A session on anti-corruption is held for all members to acquaint themselves with the policy and to clear murky stands e.g. Lobbying and bribery, accepting gifts etc. At AFP, every gift received is recorded in a register. Gifts are not acceptable from people whose intention is to influence a decision by AFP. We endeavor to work in a very transparent way to maintain trust, mutual respect whilst upholding the values to reflect our vision and mission to be the Oil and Gas Freeport in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.

Atuabo Freeport is recognised as one on the transparent companies to do business with. Having an Ebid system has cut out the inter human relations that is usually associated with bribery and corruption. A system that is transparent and gives all our registered suppers and contractors the opportunity to bid for contracts.