[ 2012-06-09 ]

Africa Day story
Accra, June 8, GNA - Secretary-General of the
United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon, has commended
Africa's recent efforts to consolidate its peace
and security architecture, and to reject
unconstitutional changes of power.

He acknowledged the achievements of the people and
Governments of Africa and reaffirmed support for
their efforts to build a better future.

In a message read by Deputy UN Secretary-General
Asha-rose Migiro, on behalf of the UN
Secretary-General at a ceremony to mark Africa Day
at the UN Headquarters, New York, Ki-moon assured
that "The United Nations will continue to work
with Africa in building durable peace, ending
armed conflicts, boosting democracy, and promoting
respect for fundamental human rights, especially
the rights of women and youth".

A statement from the UN, copied to Ghana News
Agency (GNA) in Accra on Friday, said the Day was
marked by an exhibition of various kinds of
African cuisines, prepared by spouses of
Ambassadors, cultural display and musical
performance by the Batoto Yetu, a cultural group
made up of 25 children.

The UN Secretary-General said: "Africa is a
dynamic continent undergoing fundamental
transformation. Even during the world economic
crisis, Africa's economies continued to expand,
and growth forecasts remained positive.

"However, the benefits were not reaching all
Africans. Poverty, hunger, and disparities in
health, education, and participation in society,
were preventing hundreds of millions of Africans
from fully realizing their potential."

Mr Ban Ki-moon said that greater effort were
needed by all to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals by 2015.

"The growing number of success stories across
Africa indicates that broader social and economic
progress is realistically attainable for most
Africans. I have personally seen the dividends of
investing in women's and children's health and
sustainable agriculture. I have spent many hours
with African leaders, who are committed to peace,
human rights, democracy and good governance.

"The challenge is to extend these advances and
ensure they reach all Africans, especially the
continent's poorest and most vulnerable people. In
particular, we must address the problem of hunger
- from the highly visible periodic food
emergencies to the hidden disgrace of stunting
that is affecting a new generation of African
children."

Many of these issues, the Secretary-General noted
were on the table at the UN Conference on
Sustainable Development next month in Brazil.

Mr Ban Ki-moon said: "Rio+20 is a
once-in-a-generation opportunity to mould the
future we want - a future where climate change and
desertification are no longer threats; where
devastating maternal and child mortality, and
diseases such as TB and HIV and AIDS, are
consigned to the past; where all people have
access to safe drinking water and adequate
sanitation.

"From renewable energy to thriving oceans, from
empowered women to productive partnerships between
Governments, civil society and business, Rio+20 is
our chance to deliver for all, particularly
Africa. On this observance of Africa Day, as the
world tries to forge a renewed global partnership
for sustainable development, I pledge to work with
Africa's leaders and people to implement an agenda
that addresses Africa's needs - an agenda that
will set the continent on the path to the future
we all want: dynamic, equitable and sustainable
growth that benefits all Africans."

Mr Ismael A. Gasper Martins, Chairman of the
Africa Group of Ambassadors at the UN said that
the African continent was determined to overcome
the challenges it faced based on recent positive
developments and the wind of change blowing
through the continent since the beginning of this
century.

He said that Africa today was far from fear and
want, a united and prosperous Africa at peace with
itself and with the rest of the

world.
Mr Martins, who doubles as Angola's Ambassador
Permanent Representative at the UN said: "Africa's
leadership and vision to meet today's challenges
and tomorrow's uncertainties as well as
opportunities remains indispensable as we endow
ourselves with the requisite capacity in order to
take the bold steps that the changing
international landscape demands.

"The sustenance of this African Renaissance will
certainly crystalize our vision of a united,
strong and prosperous Africa, the large and
increasing population of Africa, coupled with the
continent's enormous national resources, endowment
as well as the intensity of institution building
at the continental and sub-region levels as a
source for our optimism about the future."

He reaffirmed the need for all daughters and sons
of Africa both on the continent and the Diaspora
to enhance innovative partnerships based on shared
values at bilateral and multilateral levels.

The Angolan Ambassador said: "Moreover, we are
conscious of the need to remain steadfast and
guard against the deceptive comfort of status quo
offers, as it erodes our capacity to explore
innovative solutions and better anticipate the
future."

Mrs Beatrice Bukiwe Sangqu, President of the UN
African Ambassadors Spouses Group, said "Africa's
time has come and now is the time to join hands
and build a better Africa."

She noted that Africa had become a continent of
hope that was making strides to rid her of the
scourge of poverty, conflict, disease and other
ills.

Mrs Sangqu, who is the wife of South African
Ambassador, noted that "Today, Africa, the source
of civilization no longer fitted the description
of the dark continent as she had progressed
immensely to the disappointment of the "doomsayers
and the elation of the well-wishers."

Source - GNA

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