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London, UK, June 18, 2011 – THE Overseas Development Institute says
Africa needs effective leadership, smart policies and proper
institutional foundations to progress in development.
According to the ODI mapping progress report which was released
yesterday, Africa needed to lead its own development programs if they
were to be sustainable.
Commenting on the new report, ODI director Alison Evans stated that
sustainable development was more meaningful with Africa in the driving
seat.
“Looking across all of these tremendous examples we can see that the
most transformative and sustainable developments have occurred when the
commitment to change has come from African countries and communities,”
Evans stated.
“This has happened in a number of ways – from the quality of political
and technical leadership, to the quality and quantity of financing to
specific innovations in delivery. The world’s perception of Africa needs
to change and we hope that this report will show a continent making
great strides towards a brighter future.”
According to the report which was financed by the Gates Foundation,
progress in African development happens best when it is led by African
states and citizens.
The Mapping Progress report identifies the crucial role of effective
leadership, smart policies, proper institutional foundations and
international partnerships in driving development and calls for a new
outlook on development.
The report highlights star performers like Ghana, surprise performers
such as Ethiopia and potential performers (Malawi) across the continent
for their progress in various areas including growth, agriculture,
healthcare, education and sanitation.
Among the drivers of economic performance was smart leadership, good
policies which are said to involve changing the role for government away
from controlling (markets and prices) to facilitating and enabling
(investment and production), and smart institutions.
The report states that in many countries, progress has been achieved
through governance reforms that have decentralized and strengthened
local institutions.
“Reforms have not only led to improved service delivery but also enabled
more effective revenue collection and management of public finances,”
the report states.
Effective international partnerships were also cited as important
catalysts for progress.
“These partnerships can take various forms beyond aid, including the
transfer of knowledge and technology, international trading relations
and diplomatic interventions,” stated the report.
Source:
Post Zambia
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