Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alfred Tuah-Yeboah, has pointed fingers at transnational companies, accusing them of being responsible for the significant environmental pollution and biodiversity destruction in Ghana. 

According to him, the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a fundamental human right that should be upheld by these multinational entities.

Addressing participants at a national stakeholder forum on business and human rights, Mr Tuah-Yeboah underscored the necessity of regulating the activities of transnational companies and other business entities that contribute to environmental degradation. 

He emphasised that environmental sustainability is intricately linked to human rights, asserting that environmental crimes equate to human rights violations.

The Deputy AG stressed that transnational companies are major contributors to environmental pollution in Ghana, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory measures to hold them accountable. 

He insisted that their unchecked activities pose significant risks to the well-being of citizens and must be addressed promptly.

Mr Tuah-Yeboah reiterated that environmental preservation is a human right, and any activities that undermine this right should be met with stringent regulatory actions. 

He stressed the importance of enforcing regulations to prevent further harm to the environment and protect the rights of Ghanaian citizens.

The Deputy Attorney General called for collaborative efforts between government agencies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to enforce regulations and hold transnational corporations accountable for their environmental impact. 

He emphasised the imperative of prioritising environmental protection to safeguard the rights and well-being of present and future generations.

“We must not forget that the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a human right and that environmental crimes are intrinsically connected to human rights violations."

“It is no secret that transnational corporations are the biggest contributors to environmental pollution and the destruction of biodiversity, harming both people and the ecosystem.

“These all need to be protected in this treaty. The rights of people are thereby sacrificed on the altar of greedy commercialisation. The treaty must address this," he said.