Addis Ababa — Economic Commission for Africa Executive Secretary K.Y. Amoako will on Wednesday 18 February 2004 speak on the vital importance of better governance to Africa's development.
Mr. Amoako's address, entitled " Governance and Development in Africa: the Critical Nexus," is the latest in a series of lectures on Africa named in honor of Ambassador Andrew Young. The event is sponsored by The Africa Society of the National Summit on Africa and His Excellency Ayele Kassahun, Ambassador from Ethiopia to the U.S.
In his address, Mr. Amoako will argue that Africa's challenge is to create "the capable state" one which guarantees peace and security while creating an enabling political and legal environment for economic growth and distributing the fruits of that growth equitably.
Drawing on results from the ECA's own path-breaking, continent-wide survey, "Progress Towards Good Governance in Africa", Mr Amoako will show that many countries are taking strong steps towards this goal, ending conflicts and showing increasing commitment to democratic transitions, political inclusiveness, accountability and better economic management.
The survey, which collected data in 28 countries and included contributions from expert panels, household opinion polls and desk research, will provide the basis of the first African Governance Report, shortly to be published by ECA.
The reception and lecture will take place on Wednesday, February 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Embassy of Ethiopia, located at 3506 International Drive, NW, Washington, D.C. The audience is expected to include academics, corporate executives, policymakers, non-governmental activists, and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
K.Y. Amoako, a native of Ghana, is ECA's sixth Executive Secretary and has led this regional arm of the U.N. at the rank of Under Secretary General since 1995. During his tenure, he has initiated and managed wide-ranging reforms aimed at making the ECA a more rigorous centre of excellence, and revamped its research and advocacy work to ensure its to African governments and people.
He has also championed issues relating to trade, communication technologies, poverty alleviation and food security, regional integration and HIV/AIDS, among others. Prior to assuming the post of Executive Secretary, Amoako held senior positions within the World Bank. He currently serves as the Chair of the Commission for HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa (CHGA) and is a member of several other boards and advisory bodies.
Mr Amoako received his B.A. with a concentration in Economics from the University of Ghana in Legon, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley. In 2003, he was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa, by Addis Ababa University at a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).
The full text of Mr. Amoako's address will be posted shortly after delivery in the 'What's New' Section of the ECA Web site, at www.uneca.org.
Issued by the ECA Communication Team
Economic Commission for
Africa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E-mail: ecainfo@uneca.org.
