By Andrew Allimadi, 28 February 2006.

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) hosted a one-day high-level workshop on Saturday 25 February 2006 to discuss the capacity needs of Africa’s regional economic communities (RECs). The workshop debated a report prepared the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) - jointly commissioned by African Union and the NEPAD Secretariat - to evaluate the ability of the RECs to implement NEPAD’s priority programmes.

The workshop was attended by ECA Executive Secretary Abdoulie Janneh, NEPAD Secretariat Chief Executive Officer Firmino Mucavele, The African Union Commissioner for Economic Affaires Maxwell Mkwezalamba, and ACBF Executive Secretary Soumana Sako.

The report calls for “acknowledging failings” and “confronting, rather seeking to circumvent them”. It adds that there should be “honest attempts at finding credible and lasting solutions” to shortcomings.

The workshop made key recommendations to be incorporated in the final document, which will be available for discussion by African Heads of State and Government at their next summit meeting in July 2006.

Related link:

:: Speech by Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA