Accra, 01 November, 2020 / 11:05 pm (ACI Africa).
The leadership of Caritas Ghana is urging the government of the West African nation to show commitment in safeguarding the rights of “affected communities” by signing the United Nations (UN) Binding Treaty for Transnational Corporations (TNCs) on Human Rights.
Speaking at a Press Briefing organized to generate media interest and lobby the Government to support the Treaty, the Executive Secretary of Caritas Ghana, Samuel Zan Akologo underscored the need for the government to support the legal document saying it paves the way for justice for victims, holding the Multinational Corporations to account.
“We seek to bring to the fore the need for the State to committedly sign on to the proposed UN Binding Treaty to give rights to affected communities to reclaim their sovereignty by re-affirming the hierarchical superiority of their human rights norms over trade and investment treaties, dismantle Transnational corporations over-arching power and stop the impunity which emanate from their activities,” Mr Akologo said Wednesday, October 28.
He added, “This clarion call resonates strongly with Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ to safeguard the rights of individuals and communities and the preservation of our common home, the environment and planet.”
Organized by Caritas Ghana in collaboration with DKA Austria and Misereor Germany, the October 28 Press Briefing also sought to strengthen partnerships among church and non-church actors to put social pressure on international policymaking bodies to hold transnational corporations accountable for their investment policies and ensure access to justice and respect for human rights.