Kofi Annan - Chair, Africa Progress Panel

[Business Action for Africa]

The economic crisis, with its origins in developed countries, is hitting Africa hard and is underscoring the region’s continued vulnerability. It also reminds us of the great progress Africa has been making in recent years, and what can be achieved amidst adversity.

The world needs to emerge from this crisis with an economic system that is more sustainable and more equitable, one that not only better integrates African and other emerging nations into the global system, but that includes them in the architecture of international institutions, with a voice commensurate with their role in human development.
Emerging from the crisis is also a clear opportunity for Africa to pioneer a low-carbon development model. As the recently launched Africa Progress Panel Annual Report points out, the economic, climate change and food security crises are all linked. They cannot be tackled separately.

More investment is needed in Africa’s real economy, particularly infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and communications. Investment in these sectors will not only generate jobs and boost trade in Africa, but also create markets for the world. Priority also needs to be given to job creation, integrating climate change into development strategies, and addressing food security.

Africa now faces the extraordinary task, at a time of economic crisis, of maintaining stability and progress, including growth, poverty reduction and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

Everyone needs to contribute. Business has a key role, as do Africa’s trading and donor partners. But the primary responsibility to make it happen rests with Africa’s political leaders, who must heed their commitments regarding governance, accountability and transparency. Africa needs to drive its own development agenda as the basis for partnership and shared responsibility for progress.

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[Sebastian Adu-Gyamfi]

More investment is needed in Africa’s real economy, particularly infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and communications. Investment in these sectors will not only generate jobs and boost trade in Africa, but also create markets for the world. Priority also needs to be given to job creation, integrating climate change into development strategies, and addressing food security.

This is really the core to winning the figth.
Let's all listen to this great man and act now. He has a lot to offer the world. Great man of integrity my mentor.

[Sidney Clouston]

Dear Chairman Annan:

"Africa needs to drive its own development agenda as the basis for partnership and shared responsibility for progress." These last words of your note above in this forum is something that we have complied with. Our
Team has been working in a plan of the World Energy Council as guided by the Energy Commission of Nigeria
and Director General A.S. Sambo PhD and myself doing Project Development for the Sustainable Energy Center of Excellence for Westrern Africa. We are focused on Biomass/Biofuel and Rural Development in a Sustainable Development mindful way. It is in face a Type Two Partnership as you suggested at the WSSD
in 2002. I have championed the Millennium Development Goals as a major area of concern and we believe that
by Poverty Relief all of the MDG's will be addressed directly in several cases and indirectly in the rest of them.
Our business plan has been invited by two bank related groups and one Venture Capital group. The growing of feedstock with tools such as Microfinance, Contract Growing Contracts and Standard Offer for anyone is how
we will be able to transform the transportation fuel industry and lower the Greenhouse Gas as well as do more
for the MDG in a way that can be expanded by return on investment for expansion purpose. This can be done
by NGO's with a Social Enterprise approach and For Profit Businesses who seek a reasonable profit but have
a Social Mission purpose. Income beyond cost can be applied to expand the program while also be sensitive
to social and community needs.

Your support is requested.

Best regards
Sidney Clouston
[e-mail]

[KREUTZER]

Mr General Secretary of United Nations .
You have been in Madagascar after the crise in 2002 .
You know that after this crise Madagascar was on the good track to achieve the MDG .Then happen a coup in Madagascar the 17th of March 2009 .
There is also an international Financial crise now .
An important thing now (8th July 2009) is that Madagascar is living a civil war in low intensity ,the consequence of this situation is to increase bad businness and maintain poverty .
The coming back of the President Ravalomanana that you know ,is very important ,because it is the solution to reinstaure constitutionel order and reach progress and get away from colonialisme that is condemned by all institution of the world .
Harnessing new opportunities is not possible in ciclic civil war ;you had to demonstrate to the people who are making a coup ,that such action is worthless ;this is very important to drive the people to change their behaviour .
Thanks for your attention .

[John ALI]

I could not have agree with you more on the commentary regarding the commitments of African Leaders with regards to governance, accountability and transparency. The various governmental institutions must be made to work and not all the time complain of lack of resources. We have always ask that even the resources allocated to these institutions, what positive impact have been achieved. Policies have also been established to ensure grassroot development, what has been come of these policies and their implementing institutions. There is also a peculiar problem of allegiance, once there is a change in power, there are sections of people, especially the public sector who then think that there allegiance is to a previous government that has lost power, and therefore they will be more than willing to sabotage the new administration, very unfortunate.
Civil society must also be seen to partner government institutions and private sector to fight corruption. Corruption alone cost Africa $1billion, this is more that the GDP of all countries put together in Africa. Acts in country constitutions that do not permit and foster the development and improvement of democratic credential of the African continent must be look at. For instance the introduction and passing of the Freedom of Information Bill in some countries is a welcome news.
Private Sector, must also identify core areas for which they must carry out their social responsibilities and been seen by the larger society and government to be contributing to the economical development of their respectice countries. Our health infrastructure is also an important sector, lets take a cue from jurisdiction that have succeeded, like Cuba and some other countries.