Africa's new initiatives will focus on women - UNDP

Accra (Greater Accra) 28 May '99

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said in Accra on Thursday that its new initiative for Africa will focus on women and the youth as well as economic empowerment for all.

"The UNDP is determined to prepare African women for the next millennium as partners in sustainable human development," Dr Kingsley Fletcher, the newly appointed Special Adviser to the UNDP Director for Africa, told Journalists.

Dr Fletcher, a Ghanaian-American who is on a tour of Africa, said much cannot be achieved in fostering sustainable human development in Africa without a dramatic improvement in the status of women and the opening up of economic opportunities to them.

"In any case, they are in majority so we have to be strategic about promoting the woman to really empower them as active participants in the development process," he said.

To him, access to fuller education and skill training, resources including land and eliminating harmful cultural practices which subjugate women are the hurdles to be cleared for African women.

On the youth, Dr Fletcher said UNDP will support efforts to change the mindset of the African youth by raising the awareness of the youth to an international level which will pave the way to partnerships among the peoples of the world for prosperity.

"We need to create opportunities for the youth to fulfil their aspirations on the African Continent rather than being hopeful outside of it."

Dr Fletcher said the biggest challenge facing Africa today is not the governments or policies, but the thinking process of Africans.

"If we are able to change the way we think, we will then perceive reality. We should not imprison ourselves in our mindset.

"...Our youth need a strong vision for a prosperous future," Dr Fletcher said of the new challenge confronting the UNDP Africa's new initiative.

The new Director also touched on finding lasting resolutions to the numerous conflicts bedevilling Africa on the eve of the new millennium.