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Learn to Stand On Your Own, UN Tells Africa

The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
NEWS
September 16, 2004
Posted to the web September 16, 2004

UNITED Nations (UN) has challenged African countries to learn to stand on their
own if they are to attain economic development.
Acting UN resident co-ordinator, Margaret O' Callaghan, said in Kitwe yesterday
that her organisation was worried at the increased number of African countries
that depended on donor funds.
Ms O'Callaghan was speaking during the joint United Nations Development
Programme, African Union-Southern African Regional Office (AU-SARO), UNESCO and
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa youths graduation ceremony at
Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation.
She said it was time African countries rose to the occasion and shrugged off
the dependence syndrome.
"African countries must learn to stand on their own because there will be such
a time when donors will be no more," Ms O'Callaghan said.
Ms O'Callaghan also urged the Zambian government to encourage family peace
without which there would be no economic development.
She said no development would take place in any country where peace was non-
existence and also challenged other African countries to emulate Zambia which
had set an example in mediating for Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.
At the same occasion, AU-SARO executive secretary, ambassador Susan Sikaneta,
who was part of the leadership training team, described the training as a
success and called for unity among the youths.
Ms Sikaneta said the AU was happy to have been associated with the programme
which drew participants across Africa.
She said the training showed how much would be achieved if African youths
worked together.
"In our strategic relationship with the youth in Southern Africa, a good
beginning has been set with this initiative of leadership training programme.
The AU is happy that the youths in this region are demonstrating a strong
commitment to be positive change agents in the national and regional
development efforts," Mrs Sikaneta said.

   

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