Thirty-seventh Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance Planning and Economic Development: Opening Statement By K.Y.Amoako Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)

Abstract

Opening Statement by K.Y.Amoako Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) at the Thirty-seventh Session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance Planning and Economic Development. Mr. Amoako, on his remarks highlighted that, there has been a strong recovery in the prices of some key commodities, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, etc. After over 20 years of almost secular declines in some of our key exports, this turnaround in prices is enormously welcome. Mutual accountability, the harmonization of aid modalities, and policy coherence are now widely acknowledged as being central to the implementation of the global development agenda. A critical challenge that undermines our efforts is that of Aids. Some 13 million Africans have died of HIV/AIDS, 28 million are now living with the virus. The pandemic is reducing economic growth; increasing attrition of skilled workers; weakening agricultural productivity and food security; and reducing school enrollment and increasing pressure on health services.