The Executive Chairman of
Northern Ghana Aid (NORAID), Mustapha Sanaa, has challenged leaders to
re-dedicate their commitments to good governance, democracy and rule of law in
order to improve livelihoods of their citizens.
“Good governance, democracy and rule of law
will reduce extreme poverty and spur inclusive growth and development, critical
to poverty reduction, promote investments in critical areas like education,
healthcare delivery, job creation and thriving private sector development,”
he stressed.
Mr Sanaa, who threw the challenge at the end of
the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
in Washington DC in the United States, cautioned that “the warning signs
were written, the world’s financial spectrum is going through many challenges
and having a toll on economies of major global benefactors.
The week-long meeting was on the theme: “International
Development Agency impact -A call to action.”
Mr Sanaa pointed out that
“the picture is not clear as the world’s economy is going through
turbulence, growth stagnation, financial volatility, rising debts and recent
trade tensions, all warnings delivered by the World Bank but good governance,
democracy and rule of law will ensure prudent fiscal management of economies,
reduce corruption and prudent use of development and resources.
“Much as the advanced nations are pushed to
increase support and assistance to global development and poverty reduction
efforts, leadership must play their role to ensure development assistance makes
real meaning to the world’s poor. It’s two-way issue, while we ask International
Development Association donors to increase support and assistance after every
cycle, we must expect beneficiaries to increase efforts to improve livelihoods.
“For Africa to improve her performance in poverty
reduction, mobilising private sector as
key partner is imperative, increasing domestic revenue collection and
protecting natural resource endowments, we must challenge ourselves on concepts
of Ghana Beyond Aid, structured within framework of good and accountable governance.
David Malpass, the President of the World Bank,
underscored the importance of the International Development Agency to global
efforts for extreme poverty reduction. -gna.org
