On the eve of her address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, September 24, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Wednesday, September 22, participated in a number of side events of the General Assembly, drawing attention to issues of water, sanitation and hygiene and inclusive growth and employment in Africa. Serving as a panelist for the discussion on the “Global Water and Sanitation Challenge: The Key to the MDGs,” the President expressed concern that despite the critical role water, sanitation and hygiene play in enhancing progress on all the other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the sector is under-discussed, under-prioritized and under-resourced.
The President said current access to water and especially to sanitation in Africa is cause for concern. Only 26 of 54 African countries, she observed, are on track to meet the MDG for drinking water, and only six are on track to meet the Goal of sanitation. In
sub-Saharan Africa, the President pointed out, more than 80 percent of countries are off-track for the sanitation target.
The President indicated, however, that despite huge challenges in coordination, investment and financial capacity, Africa has made the political commitment to drive the sector forward. The Liberian leader also highlighted the progress Liberia has made in addressing the issue since she became President in 2006, while acknowledging that the country still has a long way to go. The country's Poverty Reduction Strategy, she noted, emphasizes water and sanitation. Liberia, the President recalled, has approved an Integrated Water Resource Management Policy. “Our Water Supply and Sanitation Policy approves the formation of a number of key institutions,” the Liberian President explained.
The President then urged all governments and institutions to take water, sanitation and hygiene seriously. “If we fail to address the causes of disease, such as lack of access to basic sanitation and safe drinking water, the rates of return on our investment in health will diminish, and we will continue to see our children die of easily preventable diseases,” she warned. The Liberian President, who is also Goodwill Ambassador for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Africa, said the continent remains committed to the achievement of this Goal.
The panel was also addressed by President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan; Senegal's Foreign Minister, representing President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal; former Prime Minister Han Seung-soo of the Republic of Korea; as well as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The officials pledged their institutions' commitment to prioritizing the global water and sanitation challenges.
Meanwhile, President Johnson Sirleaf has acknowledged that the most difficult challenge facing her Government is the implementation of the investments the country has attracted over the years. “How the big investments touch the lives of the ordinary man or woman, is the challenge, and we will continue to find effective responses,” the President told a gathering at another UN side event, organized to discuss inclusive growth in Africa and how it is impacting the lives of the people.
The notion of 'inclusive growth,” the President insisted, is not just an abstract concept; it must become a reality in order for a secure future to take hold.” The event, co-hosted by the Governments of Liberia, Tanzania and Denmark, was also attended by Prime Minister M.K. Peter Pinda of Tanzania and Prime Minister Lars Rasmussen of Denmark, who spoke of his country's support toward Africa's efforts to address the needs of its people. The Danish Premier indicated that by 2014, his country would have doubled its support to private sector development in Africa.
Growth and employment “is a key priority in our new strategy for development cooperation,” he stressed, adding, “we do this because now is the right time. Africa's potential has never been greater, and African countries are taking the lead. We, the development partners, must do our part,” he urged.
The Liberian leader has also been participating in other events. She was present in the General Assembly Hall when President Barack Obama addressed the MDG Summit. She also attended a reception for Heads of State, hosted by the Clinton Global Foundation, where she served as a panelist on Tuesday, September 21 on the “Empowering Girls and Women”.
The President will, among other events, participate in a panel discussion on Thursday, September 23, upon the invitation of the Presidents of Finland and Lithuania on behalf of the Women World Leaders. The panel will discuss “Women as a Critical Force in Democratic Governance”. Thursday's events also include a bilateral meeting between the Liberian President and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
source:http://www.theinquirer.com (viewed on 3rd Nov, 2010 4pm)
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