Introduction

This Modern Slavery Statement is issued by Obsidian Achernar Ltd, a prominent financial services company headquartered in Ghana. Our commitment lies in combating modern slavery and human trafficking in all forms, ensuring their complete absence from our operations and supply chains. This statement delineates our comprehensive approach to preventing modern slavery and our unwavering efforts to uphold ethical and responsible practices within our organisation.

Organisational Structure and Business Activities

Obsidian Achernar Ltd holds a distinguished position as a leading financial services company, specialising in providing exceptional investment advisory and asset management services. Our operations encompass a multifaceted landscape, involving engagement with a diverse array of stakeholders, ranging from esteemed clients and partners to essential suppliers and dedicated employees.

Financial Year Covered

This statement is applicable to the financial year extending from 28th February 2022 to 28th February 2023.

Embedding Principles of the Modern Slavery 2003 Labour Act of Ghana

Obsidian Achernar Ltd actively ingrains the fundamental principles of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 into the fabric of its activities through a series of comprehensive policies that embody its core tenets:

• Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct articulates the behavioural standards and ethical precepts that govern every employee’s conduct. It unequivocally prohibits any form of engagement in modern slavery, while also offering guidelines for recognizing and reporting suspicious activities. This is achieved through regular training sessions that educate employees about the signs of modern slavery and the correct channels for reporting any concerns.

•  Ethics Policy

Our Ethics Policy serves as a cornerstone for conducting business with the utmost integrity. It emphasises fair treatment, honesty, and moral uprightness in all interactions, unequivocally denouncing modern slavery practices. This is implemented by regular assessments of our business practices to ensure that they align with our ethical principles and by fostering a culture of open communication and ethical decision-making.

•  Diversity and Inclusion Policy

The Diversity and Inclusion Policy champions an inclusive workplace culture that reveres diversity. This policy guarantees equal opportunities for all employees and staunchly rejects all forms of discrimination, including forced labour and human trafficking. We achieve this by promoting diversity at all levels of the organisation, conducting regular diversity and inclusion training, and fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and respected.

•  Recruitment and Selection Policy

The Recruitment and Selection Policy ensures that our employment practices, spanning the spectrum from talent acquisition to onboarding, are characterised by fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination. It underscores our commitment to safeguarding the rights of all individuals and preventing any potential exploitation. We achieve this by implementing rigorous recruitment processes that are free from bias and discrimination, conducting thorough background checks on potential employees and suppliers, and ensuring that our hiring practices are in line with ethical standards.

Due Diligence

We have carefully established procedures to prevent modern slavery across our business operations:

• Supplier Code of Conduct: We require our suppliers to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes clauses that prohibit the use of forced labour, child labour, and unethical employment practices.

• Risk Assessment: We conduct regular risk assessments to identify and address areas within our operations and supply chains that could be susceptible to modern slavery.

• Supplier Due Diligence: We assess the potential risk of modern slavery in our supply chain and engage in due diligence processes to ensure our suppliers’ compliance with our ethical standards.

• Employee Training: We provide training to our employees to raise awareness about modern slavery, its forms, and indicators, ensuring they can identify and respond appropriately to any potential cases

Supply Chain

We possess a profound understanding of the necessity for collaborative efforts with our suppliers to thwart modern slavery. Our due diligence process encompasses meticulous evaluations of suppliers’ policies, practices, and compliance with regulations governing modern slavery. Our aspiration is to cultivate enduring relationships with suppliers that share our dedication to ethical business practices.

Employee Welfare

At Obsidian Achernar Ltd, the welfare of our employees is paramount. We are unwaveringly committed to providing a secure and inclusive work environment for all individuals. Our practices adhere rigorously to employment laws and regulations, encompassing labour rights, equitable wages, and reasonable working hours.

Reporting and Monitoring

Transparency and accountability stand as the pillars of our philosophy. We meticulously monitor our endeavours to combat modern slavery, ensuring periodic reporting of our advancements. In instances where any vestiges of modern slavery are identified within our organisation or supply chain, we pledge swift action to rectify the situation and institute appropriate remedial measures.

Conclusion

OA Capital steadfastly upholds its commitment to eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking across all dimensions of its operations. Through the rigorous embedding of the principles set forth by the Modern Slavery 2003 Labour Act of Ghana, our comprehensive policies, and our unceasing endeavours to enhance awareness, we aspire to play a pivotal role in erasing modern slavery and fostering ethical conduct within the financial services sector.