African ministers responsible for population and development have re-committed themselves to the implementation of the 20-year Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD PoA).
The meeting, which started in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, from October 20 to October 23 reviewed the progress made in implementing the ICPD PoA which was adopted in Cairo in 1994.
The Ministers, including the Ghanaian Minister of State, Mr Kwajo T. Likpalimor recognized the achievements made at the national, regional and continental levels so far, but expressed concern at the slow progress in the
areas of poverty reduction, maternal and child health, gender equity and equality, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and youth employment.
Mr Likpalimor led a team of Ghanaian delegation from the National Population Council, (NPC) comprising Madam Esther Apewokin Executive
Director, NPC, Ms Marian Kpakpa, Director and Mr Steve Gray, Deputy Director.
The ministers pledged to renew and intensify efforts to mobilise the necessary resources, improve national strategies and enhance institutional and human resources so as to accelerate the achievement of the goals of the
ICPD PoA and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Welcoming the ministers, Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, expressed satisfaction at the progress made by Africa, to formulate
national policies and legal frameworks to ensure the implementation of the ICPD PoA.
He however, stressed the need for the careful monitoring of the work being done, saying: "It is therefore important that we track the progress
that has been made thus far in the implementation of the provisions and recommendations while also determining what needs to be done in the
remaining five years of the 20-year Programme of Action."
Speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Maxwell Mkwezalamba, Commissioner for Economic Affairs, said the organisation had made significant strides in supporting global action as part of its contribution to the implementation of the ICPD/ PoA and the MDGs.
"In this regard, several initiatives have been adopted over the last years, with the view to increasing political commitment, enhancing advocacy and giving high visibility to most of the socio-economic development challenges facing Africa," he added.
He mentioned some of these initiatives as: the Commission on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa dubbed CARMA; the Maputo Plan of Action on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights; and the African Charter
on statistics, which provides a framework for statistical development and harmonisation in Africa.
Ms. Mari Simonen, UN Assistant Secretary General, Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said ICPD was an
opportunity to celebrate the achievements, recognise the challenges ahead and recommit to the agenda that puts people first to foster sustainable human development.
The meeting, she said, "is the culmination of an extensive process that include a region-wide survey, country-level reviews, and an expert group meeting".
She urged the participants to identify strategic priorities for Africa to accelerate progress in implementing the recommendations as well as make the right decisions to ensure that reproductive health was considered as a
political and financial priority at national levels.
Mr. Mekonnen Mayazewal Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for the Ethiopian government spoke on how his
Government had domesticated the ICPD PoA.
"It is important to accelerate public sector reforms to have institutions that are effective, efficient, transparent and accountable," he
said.
He emphasized the need for African governments to focus on domestic resource mobilisation.
The four-day meeting brought together more than 250 delegates, including 30 ministers and government representatives, along with experts and civil society organisations.