Washington, DC — The Constituency for Africa (CFA) and PANAPRESS, Ltd., (PANA) signed an historic Strategic Partnership Agreement on February 28, 2002 in Philadelphia. The signing ceremony and announcement were part of a Town Hall Meeting and Africa Business Roundtable held at the Community College of Philadelphia.
During the opening session of the Town Hall Meeting, a tribute was paid to the late Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, founder of Opportunities Industrialization Centers International (OICI), OIC of America, and author of the Sullivan Principles, which contributed to the demise of apartheid in South Africa. Remarks in honor of Dr. Sullivan were given by Reverend Gus Roman, Chairman of OICI, and by Mr. Luddy Hayden, International Government Relations Manager, ChevronTexaco.
In addition to his domestic programs to empower and train Americans, Sullivan developed and implemented a number of international initiatives to help the men, women, and children of Africa, with a particular emphasis on reconnecting Africans with African-Americans.
"The Agreement between CFA and PANA is in the spirit of Sullivan's dream of African and African-American unity," said Mr. Melvin Foote, CFA's President & CEO. The Agreement calls for collaboration between CFA and PANA to jointly mobilize public and private-sector support and resources to address the challenges facing Africa, and to better inform Americans of the opportunities, as well as the challenges that Africa presents.
The Agreement also calls for CFA and PANA to leverage their resources, networks, and outreach capacities to improve and increase exposure and presence of both organizations throughout the U.S. and Africa.
PANA was represented by its President, Mr. Babacar Fall. Mr. Fall traveled to Philadelphia from Senegal for the signing ceremony. "PANA is committed to working with CFA as partners," Mr. Fall said. "It is time that the news and stories from Africa be told by Africans." With correspondents and stringers in 51 countries, PANA is the only international news and information service providing up-to-the-minute coverage of the African continent.
CFA also announced a new initiative to link U.S. and African small business enterprises. This program is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Africa Trade and Investment Policy (ATRIP) Program. "CFA intends to work closely with the City of Philadelphia's Department of Commerce to identify local small businesses that we can work with to identify qualified trade and investment opportunities in Africa," said Mr. Jacques Walker, CFA's ATRIP Program Director.
The Philadelphia Town Hall Meeting and Africa Business Roundtable were organized by CFA in cooperation with OIC International, the Philadelphia Department of Commerce, African-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Council.
Distinguished participants in the Town Hall Meeting and Africa Business Roundtable included Ambassador Mamadou Seck of Senegal; Ambassador Mustafa Nyanganyi of Tanzania; Ambassador Richard Sezibera of Rwanda; Dr. Sidi Jammeh, Chair of the World Bank-IMF Africa Club; Ms. Thami Ngwevela, Consul General of South Africa; and Mr. Gregory Walters, Senior Advisor to the Administrator for International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Cameroon was also represented by its Commercial Counselor, Mr. Aboubakar Amadou.
Remarks were also given by Mr. Sam Smoots, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC); Mr. Sylvester John, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE); and a representative from the Corporate Council on Africa.
Perspectives on small business enterprises in Africa were provided by Mr. Michael Werner, Roy F. Weston, Inc.; and Mr. James Ingraham, ResourceLinC.com.
An overview of the complete devastation in Africa brought on by the HIV/AIDS pandemic was presented by Dr. Sidi Jammeh, Chair of the World Bank Group-IMF Africa Club. Dr. Jammeh discussed the magnitude of this human tragedy and outlined the World Bank's strategy to mobilize resources to fight this disease. "Thousands of Africans are infected with HIV/AIDS each day, and over 7,000 men, women, and children die each day from HIV/AIDS," Jammeh said.
During the morning session, the panelists presented views on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, ending conflicts, and on terrorism and poverty. In his remarks, Ambassador Nyanganyi of Tanzania said, "No nation in today's world has a choice to be either for or against globalization [W]e must ensure, however, that we have a just and fair global trading system that brings equitable benefits to both rich and poor nations."
Ambassador Seck of Senegal delivered remarks in both the morning and afternoon sessions. In the morning, he talked about the impact of conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa and the need to resolve such conflicts as a precursor for stability and economic growth. In the afternoon, he provided an African perspective on AGOA and AGOA implementation. "AGOA is the first of many steps," Ambassador Seck said. "We must continue to work to ensure an equitable trading relationship with the U.S. where our exporters receive fair prices for goods and services."
The Ambassador of Rwanda, Dr. Richard Sezibera, also delivered remarks on the need to end conflicts in Africa. His perspective was unique given the atrocities committed in Rwanda in 1994. Ethnic tensions escalated in this African country to the point of genocide where over 1,000,000 people were killed in 100 days. "Many people are tone deaf about Africa and we must cure that deafness," said Ambassador Sezibera.
"With the advent of fast food and fast cash, you cannot as well have fast peace. There is no short-cut when it comes to conflict resolution."
The theme for the 2002 CFA Town Hall Meeting Series is "Building a New Relationship with Africa", and includes debates on U.S. policy as it pertains to major issues facing Africa, including the HIV/AIDS pandemic, conflict resolution, and regional integration. In many cities, an "Action Plan for Africa" is introduced as a mechanism for local follow-up.
The Africa Business Roundtable, with the theme of "Integrating Africa into the Global Economy", explores opportunities for increased two-way trade and investment with Africa within the framework of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), with a particular focus on the involvement of U.S. and African small business enterprises. CFA has received a grant from USAID to help facilitate linkages between U.S. and African small businesses. The Africa Business Roundtable series in the U.S. will allow CFA, in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of International Trade, to target U.S. small businesses and introduce them to business opportunities in Africa.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Over the past 10 years, CFA has established itself as one of the foremost organizations in the U.S. committed to educating and mobilizing the U.S. public on matters pertaining to Africa. As a result, CFA has effectively increased the level of cooperation and coordination among a broad-based coalition of American, African and international organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to the progress, development, and empowerment of Africa and African peoples. In particular, CFA has been the one voice of alarm on the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the population of Africa. Former Congressman, Ron Dellums, is the Chairman of CFA's Board, and former HUD Secretary, Jack Kemp, is Vice Chairman.
Other planned cities for 2002 include Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Charleston, SC; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; Harlem, NY; Houston, TX; Jackson, MS; Kansas City, KS; Los Angeles, CA; Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Miami, FL; New Orleans, LA; Newark, NJ; Oakland, CA; Queens, NY; Richmond, VA; Tulsa, OK; Upper Marlboro, MD; and Washington, DC. There are also plans to convene a Town Hall Meeting in Port O' Spain, Trinidad to coincide with Emancipation Day celebrations.
