African Leaders Task NGOs on Debt Cancellation
From Josephine Lohor in Abuja
African leaders have called on Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, otherwise referred to as the Third Sector, to assist in the cancellation of the continent's crippling debts.
President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Dean of African Ambassadors and Cote d'Ivoire Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Emily Keffa, and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, saperately made the call at the African Heads of Mission pre-conference dinner and interactive session in Abuja at the weekend.
Obasanjo at the session organised as part of the International Non-Governmental Organisation Conference (INGO) 2004 billed for London between July 7 to 10, stated that the African debt burden "is certainly the greatest obstacle to its development."
The President who was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Professor Jerry Gana, while acknowledging "the concern about the development and transformation of Africa," added that "the greatest enemy of the people of Africa is poverty."
While calling for increased cooperation between NGOs and embassies to ensure the development of Nigeria and the continent, Obasanjo said he believed that, "the Third Sector can mobilise people to create wealth."
The Ivorien Ambassador, in his remarks, stated that although Africa is marginalised because its economy is not performing, career diplomats and representatives of Ministries of Trade and Industries should work with competent NGOs to mobilise for the much-needed development funds.
On his part, Chambas said that "for democracy to be enthroned, the role of the civil society must be mobilised so that it can play a positive role in the advancement of the West African sub-region and to fight poverty, deprivation, deal with conflicts and build democratic societies."
Chambas stated that although government has key role to play, the private sector should take its rightful place in the development of Africa, adding that it takes partnership to contribute to the development and growth of countries in the sub-region.
International Director of INGO, Dr. Anna Vanderpuye, in her welcome address, stated that "relative to world development, millions of people in Africa live in great disadvantage, hence the need for collaboration to address the situation and also find the way forward in a collaborative manner. This, she noted, requires "creative collaboration between African civil society organisations and embassies, high commissions worldwide."
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