"No other institution is better suited than the AfDB to give Africa the needed boost to reach the promised land" - Cristina Duarte*
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, May 25, 2015/ -- As
we celebrate Africa Day, it gives me great pleasure to congratulates
our continent for the remarkable vision it has had by embarking, decades
ago, in a project aimed at achieving its unity. This year's Africa Day
coincides with the return to its headquarters of the prime institution
of African Development -The African Development Bank (AfDB). It is
therefore timely to once more pay tribute to the founding fathers who on
May 25th, 1963 established the Organization of African Unity (OAU)
which was replaced, in 2002, by the current African Union.
No
other institution is better suited than the AfDB to give Africa the
needed boost to reach the promised land. As a candidate to lead this
important organization, I am therefore pleased to call on all the
stakeholders, including outside partners of the bank, to play a more
coordinated and effective role in ensuring that Africa Day becomes a
landmark moment not just of celebration but for sober reflexions on
needed practical ideas, actions and proposals aimed at fostering
Africa's Development.
In
order to show my commitment to what can be our continent's 'Bourse
d'Idees', 'Stock-Exchange for Ideas'', I am delighted to put on the
table three ideas for consideration.
1- I call for the institution of a Prize For Women,
to be named after an African Woman who made a decisive contribution to
the continent's march. Such a Prize may, after consultation with
relevant people, be named for instance after a respected African woman,
including those who passed away, as long as they have a legacy worthy to
be celebrated.
2-I
call for the building of ecosystems within the continent that promotes
innovation that could include various aspects such as innovation awards,
fund for research, industrial attachments, links between academics,
policy makers, entrepreneurs, and innovators...the ultimate objective
for Africa is to domesticate and democratize technology as a result of a
sustained effort to develop and upgrade our capacity throughout the
continent focusing on Africa's indigenous capacity for Science,
Technology and innovation to address our present and future problems.
3-
I call on African institutions, working with African States, and their
outside partners, to ensure that the continent's natural resources and
manufactured goods carry more local value-added while reducing the
imbalances in the value-chain detrimental so far to Africa.
I
wish Africa a great present and future while vowing to being committed
to making Africa's structural transformation a reality if, as I hope, I
am trusted to lead our pan-african bank.
*Cristina
Duarte is Minister of Finances and Economic Planning, and Candidate for
President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). More information: http://www.cristinaduarte2015.com
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