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Take on development
partners...On Their Words - Kofi Annan
By Gideon Sackitey
Accra, June 12, Ghanadot - Mr Kofi Annan, immediate past
Secretary-General of the United Nations has called on
African countries to take on development partners for the
promises they make to them.
Speaking at the Accra Launch of the ‘Africa Progress Panel’
an independent, authoritative body charged with helping
African countries meet their development goals, in Accra, Mr
Annan who was in the company of his wife Nane said it was
important for African leaders and civil society to question
leaders who have made promises at the numerous G8 Summits to
stand by their words.
He argued that G8 leaders do not need to make any more
promises, but should just keep the ones they have made.
“I believe that if the world leaders at the G8, keep their
promises that they have made and do not go ahead making any
more, African countries would be better off than they are
today,” he told the gathering which included Mr Kwadwo
Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr
Paul Acquah, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Cletus
Dordonoo and Kwame Pianim both an Economists, Ken Ofori-Atta,
Chairman of Databank Financial Services and Professor Addai
of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public
Administration.
The Panel is also made of Michel Camdessus, former Managing
Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Peter
Eigen, Founder, Chair of the Advisory Council Transparency
International, Bob Geldof, Musician, Businessman, Founder
and Chair of Band Aid, Live Aid and Live8, Graça Machel,
President Foundation for Community Development, Bob
Rubin,Chairman of Citigroup and Former Secretary of the
Treasury and Muhammad Yunus, Economist, Founder of Graemen
Bank and Nobel Laureate.
The membership of the Africa Progress Panel is expected to
evolve over time. New members would be invited by the Chair,
on behalf of the Panel as a whole.
A statement issued ahead of the launch said it was an
important way of ensuring the Africa Progress Panel has a
comprehensive collective expertise and influence, in order
to achieve its objectives and work together with Africa and
its international partners for positive change in Africa .
The Panel noted that Africa faced enormous natural, economic
and political challenges, noting that it may not be easy to
overcome these challenges, but the world has a stake in
realizing the African continent’s huge potential to thrive.
Mr Annan said the objective of the Africa Progress Panel is
to focus world leaders’ attention on delivering on their
commitments, particularly the good governance and economic
support which is imperative for achieving the Millennium
Development Goals. Panel members will draw on the expertise
of institutions working on African issues to present a
rigorous and independent assessment of progress.
“They will combine these candid assessments with their
experience and judgement to highlight pressing concerns,
inspire honest debate amongst leaders and civil society, and
prompt effective action,” Mr Annan added, “members of the
Panel will spare no effort to help governments achieve the
promises they have made, by 2010.”
Gideon Sackitey, Accra, June 12, Ghanadot
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