THE SUMMIT OFFICE

WASHINGTON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

View Kufuor’s Challenge

Washington D.C., May 16, 2012 – 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 20-24^th, 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.sullivansummit.org) 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 naïve 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.

For Media Inquiries, please contact summitix@thesullivanfoundation.org 202-736-2239

Change is difficult.

The longer we remain in patterns the more difficult change seems to be.

When you consider the difficulties we all face in trying to change (improve, upgrade, sweeten or otherwise make better) ourselves, imagine how hard it must be to adjust the perception of millions of people regarding a Continent.  And then, to make matters worse, those whose perceptions you seek to change have their misperceptions imbedded for generations and generations…

Africa, from Day 1, has been the one in the constellation whose presence has been everlasting and unchanging.

Alas, today, Africa is rising.  Like the Phoenix in classical mythology, the unique bird that lived for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert, after this time burning itself on a funeral pyre and rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle.

After generations of being maligned, disrespected, and abused, Africa is rising to assume its rightful place in history.

The Leon H. Sullivan Summit is committed to stand alongside Africa and to use whatever means necessary to garner the respect and dignity she has been denied for generations and generations of Bully Societies.

Today, we issue a challenge to all those who have benefited from their Bully pulpits to commit once and for all to end the pattern of abuse.

Finder’s keepers no more.

In the US, as children we were all taught that if you find a treasure it is yours.  There is no encouragement to find the rightful owner nor is there a need to make the slightest attempt.

Today, as it relates to Africa, we declare “FINDERS KEEPERS NO MORE”.

THE RESOURCES YOU MIGHT STUMBLE UPON IN YOUR EXPLORATIONS AND RESEARCH in Africa are no longer the booty of those who believe they are explorers or discoverers.  If you stumble upon a jewel while you are exploring Africa, do not be deluded – it is not yours.  It is theirs.  And if you want it to be yours, you must pay for it, and pay the price you intend to sell it for.

Africa will not be undersold.

Visit http://thesullivanfoundation.org/100days/ and tell us what you have seen.