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Proper Governance, Transparency Will Lift Africa’s People Out Of Poverty, Annan Says

Proper Governance, Transparency Will Lift Africa’s People Out Of Poverty, Annan Says

From All Africa.

Old themes of good governance and transparency got new prominence as Africa’s road out of poverty, joblessness and inequality at the World Economic Forum in Cape Town.

Kofi Annan, former United Nations secretary general and chairman of the Africa Progress Panel, said Africa’s wealth can lift millions out of poverty, build shared prosperity and bring hope to future generations. “It is imminently possible; we can do it,” he said, according to a report in All Africa.

But it will take bold leadership, solidifying democracy, embracing transparency and accountability and strengthening governance, institutions and the rule of law, Annan said.

The 2013 Africa Progress Report documents corruption that it says is crippling Africa’s development and keeping the continent on the foreign aid list. According to the report, Africa loses twice as much to corruption as it receives in foreign aid.

“Accountability and transparency are key,” Annan said in an interview for the article. “The United States and Europe are demanding new transparency from companies that work in Africa. We must also take responsibility.”

Read more at All Africa.