Business leaders tackle poverty in Accra

The issue of poverty eradication and leadership style on the continent took centre stage when the fifth edition of the annual African Business Leaders Forum opened in Accra on Wednesday.

The three-day forum, deliberating on the theme: "Leadership through Partnership," brings together hundreds of representatives of the business community and the public sector from Africa to discuss such issues as service delivery and infrastructure development, women's empowerment, economic growth, good governance and poverty alleviation.

The forum provides an interface for stakeholders in the public and private sectors to concentrate minds on finding solutions to challenging issues of leadership at various levels in Africa and to make viable contributions to address them.

It is the first time the forum is being held outside its traditional home of South Africa.

The five panellists who spoke on leadership and poverty reduction were unanimous that aid and grants from donors would not help solve the continent's growing level of poverty, stressing that visionary leadership was critical in the fight against poverty.

Otumba Gbenga Daniel, Governor of Ogun State in Nigeria, said it was necessary for African leaders to look beyond donor handouts and concentrate on trade both within and without the continent.

"African leaders must build market niches to become competitive. We must not use the next 50 years to cry over the effects of colonization. We must move forward," he said.

According to him the citizenry were looking and desirous of a credible leadership that would provide the direction and solutions to poverty and not leaders whose interest was only on how to loot the resources.

Ken Ofori-Atta, Executive Chairman of Data Bank, said the continent at this time in her development needed competent and compassionate leaders that were above corruption.

He said while there was consensus that poverty could be eradicated through good governance, infrastructure and education, there was still uncertainty as to which one comes first.

Mr Ofori-Atta called for strengthening of the role of civil society and the creation of a competitive corporate sector.

Mr Everest Ekong, Publisher of the Business in Africa Magazine, said the aim of the forum was to create and spread information and knowledge.

In a related development, Paa Kwesi Nduom, former Public Sector Reform Minister, has opened a forum for young African leaders from Southern Africa, West Africa, and East Africa, specially invited to participate in the leadership forum.

The objectives of the Young African Leaders Programme include exposing the youth to critical issues facing the continent and to interact with and influence experts in the business and public sectors who are working to address them and to create a pool of talented young Africans who can work collaboratively to promote the growth and development of their countries and the continent.

Dr Nduom urged the youth to pursue unity and break down the visible barriers that divided the continent by putting aside individual interest and instead work for the collective goal.

Foluso Phillips, West African Publisher of Business in Africa Magazine, said the future of the continent lay in the hands of the youth and urged the participants to take advantage to learn and acquire new skills in their work

Yesterday prominent African business leaders met for the first of a three day conference in Ghana. The 5th African Business Leaders Forum held at Accra's Conference Centre from the 17th - 19th October saw delegates from all over Africa meeting for the opening session to debate the positive effect business can have on African Development.

The symposium covering issues including the provision of sanitation, the use of Africa's natural resources and educational reforms attracted attendees from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and the Republic of South Africa to name but a few. Francophonic African Nations were well represented with delegates traveling from many countries including Sierra Leone and Cote D’Ivoire.

Business leaders moderating the debate and opening the afternoon’s sessions were selected from the elite of Africa’s public and private sectors. Kofi Amoah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Local Office Committee for CAN 2008 described how leadership could transform Africa.

He commented on how strong individuals could strengthen their community ties and create business opportunities for areas in need of social development. He appealed for those who believed themselves capable of the task to fight poverty and maintain sustainable growth to step up to the plate.

Other speakers included Akinsola Akinfemiwa, CEO of Nigeria’s Skye Bank; Gbenga Daniel Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria and Ken Ofori Atta, Chairman of Databank. The morning’s debate addressed the issue of uniting African business to combat poverty and conflict. The focus of the discussion was on the progress Africa could make if the business community worked together.

Paa Kwasi Nduom, former Minister of Public Sector Reforms and current CPP presidential aspirant, contributed to the proceedings by articulating the importance of African business unity and the responsibility business must have for African society.

During the day’s four sessions, Conquering Poverty for Good, Leadership and NEPAD, Leadership in Business and Preparing for Tomorrow: Growing Future Leaders, focus was concentrated on the least developed nations in Africa and on countries currently experiencing conflict.

Ideas for progress included amelioration of sanitation provision, the improvement of access to education or training and the development of employment opportunities in the most deprived areas.

Yesterday’s debate concluded that sustainable African growth was only possible if started from within by African businesses and leaders. The symposium decided that business can act as a catalyst for economic and social development only if business leaders take responsibility and analyze the social, economic and environmental impact of their decision making.

The forum continues for the next two days and will see more prominent business leaders and entrepreneurs discuss a range of topics. Sessions will include debates about the re-organization of infrastructure to better improve efficiency, the management of Africa’s natural resources and the benefits to society generated by business sponsorship.

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