Marginalisation of Africa must become yesterday’s story

Progress is being made in Africa and there is much cause for optimism, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith has said.

Mr Smith told representatives from African High Commissions and international organisations as well as academics gathered at Chatham House in London, UK, that Africa is building on its strong economic performance in recent years, which is expected to continue.

In spite of this progress, he argued that all efforts need to be redoubled to ensure the marginalisation of Africa becomes yesterday’s story.

“Despite the recent improvement in economic performance, the share of people living in extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa has declined little and the absolute number of poor is actually increasing,” Mr Smith observed.

He stressed that the likelihood of development success depends on support and long-term commitment from countries and global organisations alike.

It is important, Mr Smith said, that there is an acceptance and support for strategies promoting good governance and for economic development that is country-grown, owned and driven.

The Deputy Secretary-General was speaking at the launch of ‘African Economic Outlook 2008’, a new report which details the prospects and challenges of development in Africa.

“The African Economic Outlook 2008,” he continued, “provides clear evidence that commendable progress is being made and that there is basis for optimism, without in anyway underestimating the hurdles that exist.

“What this publication confirms is that Africa is changing, building on its strong economic performance in recent years, which is expected to continue.”

The report focuses on a need for greater emphasis to be given to skill development and vocational training in order to meet the demand for skills in Africa.

Mr Smith emphasised the importance of raising literacy levels and increasing skills training, noting the relationship that this had with high levels of unemployment in many countries in Africa.

He urged policy-makers to come up with programmes to transfer skills so that economic competitiveness across the region can be enhanced. Mr Smith then challenged stakeholders and development partners to come up with financing mechanisms that are appropriate for vocational training in Africa.

Click here for the full text of Ransford Smith's speech