Africa still performs low in education, health despite economic growth ― Obasanjo

NIGERIA’S former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Tuesday, said that the continent of Africa still performed low in the areas of education, health, food and nutrition security, despite economic growth.

While also pointing out that the continent is known for poorly developed infrastructure, poor leadership and governance.

Obasanjo said this in his welcome remarks at the formal inauguration of the Africa Progress Group, held at the International Conference Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, that Africa, no doubt, is a continent on the rise, submitting that it is the six of the ten growing economies are in Africa.

“Six of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world are in Africa. Real income has risen by 30 per cent in the last ten years. Foreign Direct Investment has risen to about $64 billion, while remittances have reached $56 billion, exceeding total official development assistance.

“While economic growth is taking place in Africa, the continent continues to be associated with low performance on most indicators in education, health and food and nutrition security and is noted for poorly developed and maintained infrastructure, poor leadership and governance,” he said.

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Obasanjo said the rationale behind the establishment of Africa Progress Group is to pursue an agenda with all African governments, the private sector, international development partners and other actors in ensuring that every African, now and for generations to come, lives in a world in which he or she has a fair chance of leading a healthy, happy, prosperous, and fulfilling life.

The former President said, “Africa Progress Group will support inclusive community and share societies, bolster multi-stakeholder initiatives to combat the plunder of Africa’s oceans and minerals, increase annual expenditure on agriculture and infrastructure development particularly rural infrastructure, boost investment in Africa’s energy infrastructure, push for innovation and advancement in science, technology and focus policy changes to benefit the poor, the marginalised and disconnected, work for economic integration in Africa and intra-regional energy trade, combat illicit financial flows and tax evasion, adopt global transparency standards and ensure gender equity and give hope to our youth.

“APG will harness the vast opportunities in the continent so that its transformation will accelerate, and become a reality for all.”

While delivering his inauguration keynote address, the former Prime Minister of Italy, Professor Romano Prodi, noted that the continent had made tremendous progress in the last decade.

Prodi who also doubles as former President, European Commission urged African leaders to invest heavily in manufacturing and agriculture to further develop the continent.

He added that even though Europe and indeed, China is at the forefront of development, they still need Africa, hence the need to rise up to the occasion.

In the special tribute session for Annan, several speakers extolled the virtue of the late statesman, describing him as a proud African peacemaker and a truly iconic figure of modern times.

Some of the speakers include the Chairman of the Kofi Annan Foundation, Tesfai Tecle, Bishop Matthew Kukah, his son, Kojo Annan and President Nana Akufo-Ado of Ghana.

Others are Vice Chancellors of selected universities, Student leaders from all sub-region in Africa.