Former Ghanaian President, John Kufuor Challenges International Corporations to Work Towards Improving Their Standards in Africa

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation calls upon all international companies that operate in Africa to improve their standards and investments in the development of the continent. By launching the "100 Days of Change" campaign, the Foundation is voicing the inequalities related to doing business in Africa, and the dishonorable practices conducted by foreign companies on African soil. The challenge to corporations is to create resolutions for sustainable change and present those resolutions at the Sullivan Summit IX, which will be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from August 20-24th, 2012. The Foundation will also celebrate those corporations whose business practices are exceptionally supporting the development of Africa.

"It's time for the international community to understand that Africa cannot be taken for granted. We as Africans cannot stand by as our riches, our land, and most of all, our dignity are taken from us, especially for the clear motive of profit above the preservation of basic human rights," said the Summit IX Chairman, former Ghanaian President John Kufuor.

Kufuor went on to say, "Although there are various injustices, there are also numerous companies doing good, and we wish to highlight them as role models."

Over the course of the "100 Days of Change" campaign, the Sullivan Foundation, through tweets (#100daysofchange, Twitter handle @SullivanFound), Facebook  (www.facebook.com/SullivanFoundation), and the Sullivan Foundation website (www.thesullivanfoundation.org/100days) will present the opportunity for individuals, Non-profits, and NGO's to blog, to share photos, and to speak out with numerous Heads of States and CEO's at Sullivan Summit IX. This Summit stands as a unique venue for communicating and drawing on the economic inequalities created by corporations on African soil; we will focus on ten distinct industries operating on the continent.

Ms. Hope Sullivan Masters, the President and CEO of the Foundation stated, "This is an opportunity for foreign firms working in Africa to demonstrate their solutions for building enabling environments in the communities of which they have taken advantage. Created by my late father, the Global Sullivan Principles stand as a tool for human rights, the basis for corporate social responsibility, and will be a platform to command the equality Africans deserve."

Summit Chairman H.E. Kufuor has written a statement to world leaders and CEO's of international firms inviting them to attend the Summit and to partake in the 100 Days of Change campaign. His announcement, released today and found on the Summit website, is the call to action for those who have questioned the need for change and for those who have questioned the issue of Human Rights and good governance in Africa.

"Africa is seen today as the new investment destination of the entire world, however we must be cognizant that Africans are not taken advantage of in the process. We know the endless economic opportunities that the continent has to offer, but we cannot afford to taint the continent by remaining naive to clear injustices," said Summit Chairman H.E. John Kufuor.

The Leon H. Sullivan Summit, an initiative of the Leon H. Sullivan Foundation was the first internationally recognized Summit of world leaders, convened on African soil, by a non-governmental private foundation. Held biennially in an African nation, the Summits have hosted high-level U.S. Government officials, including former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as former U.S. Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. Since 1991, more than 20,000 people from the United States and across Africa have attended the Summits and more than $180 billion of debt relief from developed nations has been forgiven through the work of the Summits. More information can be found at www.SullivanSummit.org.

SOURCE Leon H. Sullivan Foundation