BuaNews (Tshwane)

African Leaders Need to Turn Economic Crisis Around - Report

Cape Town — The global economic crisis facing Africa can be turned into an opportunity for the continent, according to the Africa Progress Panel's (APP) Annual Report for 2009.

The APP comprises former United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan, President of the Foundation for community development, Graca Machel and Govenor of Botswana, Linah Mohohlo.

Speaking on behalf of the panel at the release of the report at the opening of the 19th World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town on Wednesday, Mr Annan said despite the effects of the crunch, leaders should turn the crisis around.

"African leaders should turn the current global economic meltdown into an opportunity for the continent based on shared responsibility with their international partners," the panel said.

According to the report, the crisis was hitting the African continent more than any other region; however it stated that more investment was needed in the continent's real economy to help the situation.

"This particularly in infrastructure, renewable energy, agriculture and communications.

"We believe that if given a chance Africa can provide a valuable growth platform for the global economy and pioneer clean development models that contribute to global efforts to manage climate change," he said on behalf of the panel.

Mr Annan said Africa had transformed in his lifetime and that progress made on the continent was proof that concrete achievements were possible.

"The economic, climate change and food security crises are all linked. They cannot be tackled separately. We need a new development model that provides security, stability and address people's needs," he said on behalf of the panel.

Businesses as well as everyone needed to contribute but the primary responsibility lies with African political leaders, he said.

The report also found that priority needs to be given to job creation and addressing food security. Furthermore, African leaders must champion a strong common African position on climate change.

Other matters highlighted by the report was that Africa needed immediate assistance to maintain financial flows and stability, adding that donors must also deliver on their aid commitments to help government meet their needs.

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  • upliftdarace_144
    Jun 11 2009, 15:10

    Dear Readers , There is a climate in America and the financial world that secretly has been

    "cooking the books" while they rob us. For example most financial information that is

    reported only focuses on "The Budget ". A Budget is the amount of money we would

    need to run our household on a specific time schedule (e.g. weekly budget, monthly

    budget, yearly budget ).

    When they tell us they have a "Budget Deficit ", they are actually saying they don't have

    enough money for the specific period the Budget is supposed to cover. There is a more

    complete financial picture that many of us are kept from seeing. This picture is called "

    THE COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT ".

    People like WALTER BURIEN & ALEX JONES exposed the schemes that have been

    going on since 1945 in America alone !!! For more information do a search using

    " The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Exposed "..On YouTube Alex Jones &

    Walter Burien share a documentary that they did in the 1990s.

    [http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=The+Comprehensive +Annual+Financial+Report+Exposed+]

    [God Bless You Readers To Want To Know And Seek To Know The Truth]

    [This inspiring poem was featuring in the movie “Coach Carter ”]

    Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate, Our Deepest Fear Is That We Are Powerful Beyond Measure. It Is Our Light , Not Our Darkness That Most Frightens Us.

    We Ask Ourselves, Who Am I To Be Brilliant, Gorgeous, Talented, And Fabulous ?

    Actually Who Are We Not To Be ? You Are A Child Of God.

    Your Playing Small Doesn’t Serve The World.

    There Is Nothing Enlightened About Shrinking So That Other People Won’t Feel Insecure Around You.

    We Are All Meant To Shine, As Children Do.

    We Were Born To Make Manifest The Glory Of God That Is Within Us.

    It’s Not Just In Some Of Us; It’s In Everyone.

    And When We Let Our Own Light Shine We Unconsciously Give Other People Permission To Do The Same.

    And As We Are Liberated From Our Own Fear, Our Presence Automatically Liberates Others

    - Marianne Williamson -

    [NOTE – BEING AFRAID AND REFUSING TO GET INVOLVED WON’T STOP US FROM DYING. BUT BEING AFRAID CAN PREVENT US FROM LIVING]

    (Nkosi Sikeleli Africa )

    God bless Africa May her glory be lifted high Hear our petitions .

    God bless us, Your children God we ask You to protect our nation Intervene and end all conflicts Protect us, protect our nation, our nation.

    From the blue of our heaven, From the depths of our sea, Over our eternal mountain ranges, Where the cliffs give answer.

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    [Enoch Mankayi Sontonga]

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    WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS ! BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

    - Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ]