Health Minister Speaks on Democracy & Human Rights
By Komba Fillie
Health and Sanitation Minister Haja Zainab Hawa Bangura has said that African society is currently undergoing rapid transformation, and the demands for democratization.
Delivering her keynote address at the informal meeting of European Union Development Ministers on the role of Democracy, Human Rights and People’s Empowerment in Africa, in Sopot, Poland, Mrs. Bangura observed that the global climate has become increasing discomforting for non democratic governments. Such governments, the Minister noted are consistently denied legitimacy and the resources to perpetuate themselves in power.
She told the meeting that by 2008, the number of sub Saharan democracies had increased to over 20, accounting for more then a quarter of the regions population.
The Minister opined that the establishment of the African Union (AU) and its adoption of the Cumulative Act, New partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) as well as the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has been a significant paradigm ushering acceptable principles of “good governance and commitment to protection of human rights. In spite of these promising trends, there are also challenges in nurturing democracy in Africa. Mrs. Bangura said.
The 2010 Democracy Index, Mrs. Bangura said indicates that the process of democratization in sub-Sharan Africa leaves more to be desired due to failure of governance, political participation and plurality including media freedoms.
The Sierra Leone situation, the Minister told her audience, has clearly exemplified that where demonstration is on course, states tend to perform better as agents of economic development. Sierra Leone, the early days of freedom from colonial rule, Mrs. Bangura said was charged with excitement and full of hope, though historically there were disastrous consequences from the path of democratic development.
The current government under the leadership of President Koroma’s Agenda For Change for the period 2008-12, Mrs. Bangura told her audience, now serves as the national peace building strategy for Sierra Leone. A frame work she said stands for sustainable peace and security towards poverty reduction and economic growth.
Commenting on the progress made so far, Mrs. Bangura told the meeting that her country has recorded significant achievements in various areas of political, social and economic developments. She told the meeting that Sierra Leone has been rated the 53rd most peaceful country in the world by the Global Peace Index, adding that the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections were also rated peaceful by international and local observers, and demonstrated true democracy at work.
Other achievements highlighted includes the 2010 World Bank Doing Business Report which ranked Sierra Leone among the top five countries as destination for investment in sub-Sahara Africa, the 2010 Africa Peace Award-based African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), and Sierra Leone as a proud and strong heritage of religious tolerance in the world. The country also received the MDG 6 Award in 2010 in New York, and rated as one of the few countries in Africa that does not have a political prisoner.
These and many more achievements including the post war steady growth and progress formed part of the Minister’s Keynote address.
Health and Sanitation Minister Haja Zainab Hawa Bangura has said that African society is currently undergoing rapid transformation, and the demands for democratization.
Delivering her keynote address at the informal meeting of European Union Development Ministers on the role of Democracy, Human Rights and People’s Empowerment in Africa, in Sopot, Poland, Mrs. Bangura observed that the global climate has become increasing discomforting for non democratic governments. Such governments, the Minister noted are consistently denied legitimacy and the resources to perpetuate themselves in power.
She told the meeting that by 2008, the number of sub Saharan democracies had increased to over 20, accounting for more then a quarter of the regions population.
The Minister opined that the establishment of the African Union (AU) and its adoption of the Cumulative Act, New partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) as well as the implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has been a significant paradigm ushering acceptable principles of “good governance and commitment to protection of human rights. In spite of these promising trends, there are also challenges in nurturing democracy in Africa. Mrs. Bangura said.
The 2010 Democracy Index, Mrs. Bangura said indicates that the process of democratization in sub-Sharan Africa leaves more to be desired due to failure of governance, political participation and plurality including media freedoms.
The Sierra Leone situation, the Minister told her audience, has clearly exemplified that where demonstration is on course, states tend to perform better as agents of economic development. Sierra Leone, the early days of freedom from colonial rule, Mrs. Bangura said was charged with excitement and full of hope, though historically there were disastrous consequences from the path of democratic development.
The current government under the leadership of President Koroma’s Agenda For Change for the period 2008-12, Mrs. Bangura told her audience, now serves as the national peace building strategy for Sierra Leone. A frame work she said stands for sustainable peace and security towards poverty reduction and economic growth.
Commenting on the progress made so far, Mrs. Bangura told the meeting that her country has recorded significant achievements in various areas of political, social and economic developments. She told the meeting that Sierra Leone has been rated the 53rd most peaceful country in the world by the Global Peace Index, adding that the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections were also rated peaceful by international and local observers, and demonstrated true democracy at work.
Other achievements highlighted includes the 2010 World Bank Doing Business Report which ranked Sierra Leone among the top five countries as destination for investment in sub-Sahara Africa, the 2010 Africa Peace Award-based African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), and Sierra Leone as a proud and strong heritage of religious tolerance in the world. The country also received the MDG 6 Award in 2010 in New York, and rated as one of the few countries in Africa that does not have a political prisoner.
These and many more achievements including the post war steady growth and progress formed part of the Minister’s Keynote address.
Comments
Post a Comment