Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé)
Richard Kwang Kometa
28 October 2009
Heads of African public service structures in charge of tackling unemployment-related problems began meeting in Cameroon on Tuesday October 20 for a three-day confab.
The theme of the conference was "the economic crisis and the role of the Public Employment Services into the implementation of the global employment pact, and the validation and partnership of technical assistance projects." Hosted by the Cameroon National Employment Fund, the gathering brought together 30 participants from some African countries, France, Belgium and Slovenia with the World Association of Public Employment Services as partners in the deal.
Coming after the global economic crunch that cropped up last year, the meeting understandably talked of approaching unemployment from a global standpoint and partnership in technical assistance. The idea is, to say the least, salutary. National economies are highly interdependent with globalisation as an imperative.
However, the diverse nature of the participating countries cannot divert attention from the disparities that invariably exist among the nations involved. Through information sharing, it is possible that countries that lag behind in economic take off could benefit. But this can only be if, and only if, there is the political will to move forward. Failing which, the other side of globalisation that has placed Africa at the receiving end with little that can help the continent impose itself on the world scene, will dominate at the end of a forum of this nature. A case in point here has been the near absence of any visibility over the unemployment data in most African countries. Such a void has been, for the most part, the result of lack of determination by the countries concerned.
Although many African countries readily join the wolf cry over the economic crisis, their economies were hardly up to the 7 per cent growth rate level required to achieve the first Millennium Development Goals needed for poverty to be halved by 2015. According to the 2005 African Report, only six countries achieved 7 per cent GDP growth in 2004. Seventeen others registered positive but less than 4 per cent growth.
Moreover, most African nations have, over the years, depended on the Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative as major contributors to improve Africa's macroeconomic situation. Without doubting the pertinence of the ODA and HIPC initiatives in boosting economic take off, it is undeniable that most countries that stand a better chance to master their development are those capable of generating income from their creativity and innovation through the ingenuity of their population.
Debt relief provided by donors has principally been to help in "redirecting resources to investments in social development" thanks to funds that would, otherwise, have been used for debt-servicing. Tackling the hurdle of unemployment must today have to do with long-term initiatives and experts need to clearly explain the long-term effects of debt relief given that critics have identified some key constraints as the "slow pace of delivery, the probability of achieving long-term debt sustainability, the difficulty for countries to remain on a policy reform track after the decision point and the insufficiency of debt relief". These are certainly major policy areas that public service structures involved in tackling issues of unemployment cannot examine through the same lenses given that the reality in most countries defers.
The Cameroon National Employment Fund and, evidently, the government must have understood the stakes of the Yaounde conference given that the Prime Minister and Head of Government was personally represented at the opening by the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Zacharie Perevet. Hopes are that by the time the delegates left Cameroon, they took along a clearer picture of the situation of unemployment within the continent and a way forward clearly defined.
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TAKING CHARGE : SIMPLE STRATEGIES TO SURVIVE THE CASH CRUNCH
I. Collaborative Unit For Survival – We Should Align With Persons And form A Cooperative Collaborating Unit A. Extended Black Family Should be Our Strongest Collaborative Unit, B. Apprentice Training – Passing Our Skills On Through Generations C. Cooperative Shopping & Research – For Example : [ www.pacificgeek.com]
II. Global Opportunity For Securing Retirement Wealth A. Nigeria’s Stock market B. Ghana is offering around 20% Return On Treasury Notes C. These Are Some Of The Countries That Are Offering Free Land To Black Africans : Ethiopia, Zimbabwe & Ghana D. Travel & Tourism Opportunities : By Buying Land In Certain Tourist Rich Locales, Investors Can Thrive As Tourism Hosts [ e.g. One Africa Guest House In Cape Coast Ghana
III. Practicing Wellness By Being Aware A. The So-Called HealthCare System Is The 3rd Leading Cause Of Death In America B. Most Chronic Diseases Are Created By Malnutrition C. The Standard American Diet Is Toxic
IV. Banking Usury Via Credit Card Schemes. A. They Are Responsible For Ruining Entire Nations B. Some Other Usury Schemes – Payday Lenders & Check Cashing Stations
V. Buying Locally0Grown Food AND Making Organic Gardens A. Some Highlights Of Setting Up Square Raised Gardens 1. After measuring lumber and building the boxed area : Landscaping Cloth should be laid down to keep weeds out of the bottom. 2. Fill the boxed area with composted dirt that is also mixed with peat moss to make the environment for the roots comfortable. 3. Using Crossing Strings, measure out 1 square foot grids. a. Each grid can be used to plant your choice of produce. 4. Earth Boxes can be used for persons living in apartments 5. Green Bags can be used to store refrigerated produce in; helping it to stay consumable longer. 6.
VI. Reviving Home-Based Industries : A. Carpentry, Plumbing, B. Canning & Preserving C. Eating From Our Own Kitchens (as opposed to eating out )
VII. Do It Yourself A. Auto mechanics B. Sewing, Knitting, Crocheting C. Childcare & Elder care D. Home Schooling E. Washing Our Own Vehicles F. Landscaping G. Using Our Extra Rooms To Board Persons H. Copoerative Rent Sharing – Here’s where 2 or more persons can live in a home for a few years as they share in rent et al household duties a. The advantage here will allow the collaborators to save money. With this saved money they can start businesses and continue to grow. b. Many people coming to America have practiced this Cooperative Rent Sharing for Years I. Rent Parties - This is a fun way to help someone J. Beauty Care-From The Homes
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WAKE UP ! STAY UP MY BROTHERS & SISTERS !
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- Life Is a Game. Have Fun. [ Luke 18:17 / Isaiah 11:6 ] :