Maravi

Investments must not disadvantage the people, says Archbishop Ziyaye

Investments must not disadvantage the people, says Archbishop Ziyaye
By Mwala Kalaluka
Wednesday July 09, 2008 [04:01]

ROMAN Catholic bishops in East Africa have urged governments in the region to put the interest of common citizens ahead of any gains when negotiating contracts with local and foreign investors. Delivering a communiqué at the closure of the 16th plenary assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) in Lusaka on Sunday, newly-elected AMECEA chairman Archbishop Tarcisio Ziyaye said investments must not disadvantage the people.

"We welcome external investments into the economies of our region but these investments must not disadvantage our people. Justice demands payment of just wages and good working conditions," Archbishop Ziyaye of Blantyre, Malawi said.

"Our governments in the region must demonstrate transparency and concern for the common good in their contract negotiations with both local and foreign investors.

"Archbishop Ziyaye, who was elected chairman during the one-week assembly held in Lusaka under the theme 'Reconciliation through Justice and Peace', said governments in the region still had a daunting task of reducing the growing gap between the rich and poor.

"There are several factors that lead to high poverty levels in the countries of AMECEA," he told congregants at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus. "While we acknowledge the external factors such as unfair trade pacts with Western and emerging Asian economies, we also recognise local causes of this such as misplaced priorities, inequitable distribution of resources, bad governance, corruption and conflicts and scourge of HIV and AIDS."

Archbishop Ziyaye also said the church's advocacy on constitutional and legislative issues would continue to encounter difficulties as long as some regional national assemblies did not establish Parliamentary Liaison offices.

"These offices will be a means for permanent and constant dialogue between the church and parliamentarians, and will reduce the representational gaps and let the church contribute positively on constitutional and legislative issues," he said. "In the same line, we commend efforts being made to seek for an Observer Status at the African Union. AMECEA will seek similar status within the relevant regional organizations...and ensure that decisions made do not disadvantage the poor majority."

He noted with sadness that the education of children, especially girls, still remained a great challenge in the region.

"Parents can and should do more to instil confidence and appropriate formation for the girl child at an early age," Archbishop Ziyaye said. "We urge the church institutions to prioritize the formation of leaders at all levels."

Archbishop Ziyaye also bemoaned the dismal efforts by local authorities to protect the environment from destructive elements.

On the conflicts in the region, Archbishop Ziyaye said the wars and tensions in the member countries posed a big challenge to the church's evangelisation work.

"We believe that the church should continue to be prophetic," said Archbishop Ziyaye. "Although not in AMECEA region, we are greatly concerned with the crisis in Zimbabwe. Our hearts go out to the people of Zimbabwe who are facing hard times."

Labels: DEVELOPMENT, FDI, MALAWI, TARCISIO ZIYAYE

posted by MrK @ 3:42 AM