CHAPTER 4 1992; Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act, 1994; Free Zone Act, 1995; Ghana Stock Exchange Rules on Takeovers and Mergers; High Court Civil Procedures Rules, 1954; Securities Industry Law, 1993; Securities Industry Act, 2000; and the Bodies Corporate (Official Liquidations) Act, 1963. The Securities Industry Law, for example, prohibits and penalises insider trading and abusing self-dealing. Enforcement is to be carried out by the SEC and GSE, although in practice there are few prosecutions. 76. The main institutions charged with ensuring the equal treatment of different classes of shareholders are the RGD and the courts. The RGD, for example, has set up a client service unit whose aim is to redress grievances and problems quickly, for example of minority shareholders. Unsatisfied clientele can further seek redress from the public complaints unit of the office of the head of the civil service and the courts. Other institutions that to an extent protect shareholders include the SEC, GSE, GIPC and the Ghana Free Zones Board. 77. Stakeholders' rights are established and protected under the general laws pertaining to commerce, contracts and labour. In addition, voluntary codes, for example SEC Guidelines and the Institute of Directors' Code of Ethics, cover certain stakeholder issues. The Bodies Corporate (Official Liquidations Act) of 1963 provides the insolvency regime. Debt collection procedures are also found in the Companies Code, although in many instances they are not effectively employed. There is no legislation on individual bankruptcies. As mentioned, employee grievances are normally addressed through the CHRAJ. Creditors and suppliers seek redress through the RGD, courts or other alternative dispute mechanisms. In most cases, mechanisms for redress are lengthy and time and resource consuming. 78. At present, consumer rights are enforced through laws such as the Contracts Law, the Sale of Goods Act and the Food and Drugs Law, which establish minimum conditions of sale requirements, including standards for labelling and production. Consumers have the right to seek redress from the judicial system, including using the courts to compel statutory agencies to carry out their enforcement mandates. However, there is a need for consumer-specific legislation for Ghana. A Consumer Protection Bill has been drafted but has not been tabled in Parliament. The bill would provide a harmonised compensation scheme for consumers in the case of harmful or defective goods and services. The bill also seeks the establishment of an independent body, the National Consumer Council, as well as a Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, and regional and district level consumer affairs councils, arbitration committees and small-claims courts. 108

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