Unlocking The Potential Of Africa’s Socio-Economic Prosperity
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Tuesday, 19 May 2015: Africa Against Ebola Solidarity Trust Board Member and Chairman of Econet, Mr. Strive Masiyiwa, says for Africa to achieve its vision of social and economic prosperity, African governments and business must join forces and commit human and financial resources for the potential eradication of developmental threats such as the prevailing Ebola pandemic in West Africa.
“The development of Africa’s solid socio-economic stature undoubtedly depends on a properly articulated vision as well as a strategic practical plan. However, vision and planning alone are not sufficient. As a result, it is imperative that policy makers in Africa begin to assess and select the correct delivery models, founded on innovative economic support that is complimented by the private sector.
We need to think carefully about how we restore the dignity of the people of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone and how we stabilise their economies. The public-private partnerships approach is necessary if Africa is to improve its deeply rooted socio-economic and societal problems as well as eradicate the obstructions preventing the continent from attaining its developmental projects goals,” explained Mr. Masiyiwa.
He adds that an effective response must focus on unique alliances and public-private partnerships structured to mitigate the multi-faceted impact of societal challenges. Failure to cooperatively pursue these goals using new and innovative approaches can only contribute to new and re-emerging development obstructions for the Africa continent.
“In West Africa, specifically in the regions that have been severely hit by Ebola, there has been a delay in relation to Africa-led innovative efforts aimed at mobilising resources that could potentially strengthen the socio economic status of the continent. Because of this, preparedness and response planning, with respect to emerging health threats, aimed at improving the health security and safety of the African community, is an important aspect of the continental development strategy,” Mr. Masiyiwa concludes.
About #AfricaAgainstEbola:
The #AfricaAgainstEbola campaign is coordinated by the Africa Against Ebola Solidarity Trust, a registered charity, in partnership with the African Union. All donations made to the Africa Against Ebola Solidarity Trust will be used to train, equip and deploy African health workers in the fight against Ebola and to build long term local health capacity.
In partnership with the African Union, our mission is to mobilize resources to send much-needed health workers – drawn from within Africa – to the Ebola-afflicted countries. Under the operational coordination of the African Union Support to West Africa (ASEOWA), trained doctors and nurses will care for those infected, help contain the disease and strengthen local hospitals and care centers. Our vision is a resilient Africa that is able to respond effectively and rapidly in times of crisis.
Resource Mobilisation
The African Union recently introduced a campaign, #AfricaAgainstEbola, to mobilise citizens in the fight against the disease. SMS “Stop Ebola” to 7979 or visit the campaign’s official website, http://www.africaagainstebola.org/ to donate $1 or for more information.