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Prof. Mamadou making a presentation on MDGs

THOUGH Africa is registering an average economic growth rate of almost six per cent, a vigorous impetus is needed to ensure that the continent meets the MDGs by 2015. The UNI-Africa Executive Committee that met in Dakar, Senegal from 10 - 11 July under the theme "Is Africa on Track towards Meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)" heard that a lot of things need to be happening at the same time to ensure that the MDGs do not remain a mere wish list for Africa.

Besides total debt relief, generous and coherent external aid is needed from developed countries coupled with fair trade. African governments also need to improve on governance, anti-corruption crusade and increase spending on social sectors.

MDGs seek to generate global consensus to eliminate international poverty and bring about accelerated development. The year 2015 is the deadline for achieving the MDGs aimed at halving poverty.

Professor Mamadou Dansokho who made a presentation at the meeting noted that indicators aimed at monitoring progress on MDGs show that Africa is unlikely to halve poverty by 2015. He singled out agriculture as one sector that was recording an output deficit which is likely to double by the year 2025. This trend, he said would, contribute to increased poverty and malnutrition.

"Africa is being fed by the outside world. We need to forge alliances and attract more investment in the agricultural sector to fight poverty. We have to reconstruct national policies and involve trade unions in policy formulation," he said.

And a representative from the Ministry of Labour in Senegal said social dialogue was important to reach the MDGs. He urged unions to work together with governments in the implementation of MDGs.

UNI Deputy General Secretary Philip Bowyer said it was unacceptable that the number of people living on less than a dollar a day continues to rise in Africa.

UNI-Africa President Napoleon Kpoh said it was shameful that Africa carries the tag of abject poverty despite the abundance of human and natural resources.

"Why should the discovery of resources such as oil be the beginning of corruption? Economic benefits of political independence must be achieved. We must keep the pressure on so that African leaders start to take into account the expectations of our people," he said.

Ms. Peace Obiajulu from Nigeria told the meeting that Africa "must look inward and start producing products for its own consumption and export. Why are we still importing items such as toothpicks when we are the owners of forests? We must prioritise manufacturing."

Ms. Coumba Gueye from Senegal said "we should take our destiny in our own hands. If we do not reduce child mortality, if our children cannot reach their fifth birthday, who will be there to develop Africa," she asked.

Isaiah Kubai from Kenya called for a campaign to have finished products to get a fair return on Africa exports.