The 12th Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications: Opening statement by K. Y. Amoako, executive secretary of ECA

Abstract

Opening Statement by K. Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of ECA at the 12th Conference of African Ministers of Transport and Communications. Mr. Amoako, on his remarks highlighted that, the initiative of NEPAD, with which we have been very closely associated, there should be a very useful boost in creating necessary sub-regional and regional infrastructure. So, both on the policy front with the Union, and on the project front with NEPAD, we are in a time when your special leadership is and will be in demand, as rarely seen before on this continent. We frequently complain that our transportation costs are among the highest in the world. Part of the reason is inadequate infrastructure, but part of the reason is because our transport fleets are subject to very high extra costs because of accidents, shakedowns and extraordinary delays at checkpoints. Effective Transport and Communications networks are an absolutely integral part of successful regional integration, so your work is at the heart of this Forum’s considerations.