First of all, the ‘dumping’ of cheap agricultural produce (in their raw or processed form) on the West African markets has destroyed the livelihoods of millions of small scale farmers in Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and other West African countries. These farmers, men and women, depend on the production of say onion, tomato and other vegetables for food and scarce income during prolonged dry seasons when farming activities are only possible in river valleys.

Secondly, there is no evidence that the large majority of the voiceless small-scale farmers would choose to focus on production aimed at international trade as their priority is to produce what they consume and exchange the surplus for income which can be used to meet other basic needs (e.g. health services, education of children, clothes, etc.). Thirdly, from my little understanding of world trade, the Doha round of negotiation within the WTO is as yet incomplete. To be fully operational, the ETA has to tick certain boxes within the WTO trade rules. In other words, countries that sign the EPA will still need to wait until the round of WTO negotiations are complete. So why the hurry?

Fourthly, with the exception of South Africa, there are no social security guarantees for farmers and others whose livelihoods suffer from global market fluctuations. In the export crop regions of wetter parts of Africa, access to food from forests is able to act as a buffer against say world cocoa price fluctuations.

The key point being made is that there are numerous developmental hurdles to be overcome before African countries are pulled to the river, like the proverbial horse: do they have to drink? The ongoing call for ‘fair trade’ is welcome, and these EPA agreements are not to be hurried as they will have certainly have irreversible long term impact on people and the environment.

My argument is that like Pandora’s Box, the EPAs will unleash hardship, suffering and displacement of farmers from their land. People will be forced off their land and where do we think they will go? First to the cities, through risky illegal journey across the high seas, etc. Steadily they will trickle on as their ancestors did after the ice age. So, sooner or later, it may be that will the last person leaving the continent please remember to turn off the paraffin lantern?

One thing that is very clear is that African leaders will be watching to see what sort of reception they will be accorded at Lisbon. Will it anywhere near that which African leaders got in China or not? Will the agenda be strengthening the economic progress of Africa or not?

On the other hand, European leaders will be looking to the seriousness that is expected of leaders to match word to deed. They will seek to also explore, I imagine, the real ‘better option’ of building Africa’s economic progress through the western model.ie model of freedom and democracy.

So, in a nut shell it will be an interesting meeting of minds.

What is encouraging on both sides of the table are the likes of ‘solid leaders’ like the German President and the current South Africa President Thabo Mbeki. This is encouraging because the issue of Africa as an emerging continent, or as an emerging frontier of resource and people value will be given its much needed publicity.

What is challenging is the issue of sustaining progressive discussions that will be covered at the meeting. THAT is the crucial part out of this meeting.

So, with these we wait to see how this important meeting unfolds.

Patrick Khamadi – Advisor International Development

Given the nature of climate change, what regional approaches are required to enable countries in Africa cope with the vagaries of continental and global climatic changes? For example, drought and flood resistant seed exchanges have been found to be useful in minimizing the impact of enviornmental changes in Asia.

The EU would act as a catalyst for the new AU and help us in the part to cooperation and development. I am optimist that this deal is a new deal of a partnership of equals that would work in the favour of the duo. We need our voices to count and be listened to.

Henry Ekwuruke
Programme Director
Development Generation Africa International
A Youth-led NGO in Nigeria.

The agenda is generally accomodative of the broad areas of interest for africa. However, they will need to be unpackaged for the typical poor and beneficiary african to understand, appreciate and contribute. There is no mechanism in africa, say Uganda for the target beneficiary group to be objectively informed and stimulated to participate in this process.

Currently deliberations are still confimed to AU, some parliamentarians and so called technical personnel of gorvernment i.e. foreign and external trade ministries. These have no direct interaction with private sector – business community, NGOs and peasant communities. The available structures have not been used to promote and ensure all inclusive health dialogue on the subject matter. The prospect for another white elephant is high.

While NGOs have endeavoured to bridge this gap they are not adequately capacitated and well spread to reach all the masses save for mobilisation to demonstrate against unfair trade policies – even where adequate information is lacking.

The other is fighting corruption which has become the norm in the various institutions in African countries.

Then there’s the issue of resettlement of the people who in the war regions. Besides food and shelter which is being provided by the many humantarian organisations, (thankfully), there’s need for counselling to address the trauma suffered by these people.

Women political empowerment should also be emphasised as that will expedite development and equality in Africa.If the women are politically empowered via a legislated quota in the National Assemblies/parliaments and in other key decision making areas that will automatically reduce gender based violence because power will now also be in the hands of the women. A trained woman with the same loaded gun as a man will make much difference in the way men behave to women.

Pushing for the realisation of the United State of Africa dream is also very important. In this direction I suggest that this topic be discused lengthly as it is very important- we have all seen the great benefits it has accreud to the european Union and thus Africa too sholud enjoy those benefits. The simplest way I think we can achieve this dream is by developing and incoporating education materials about African Solidarity, peace and tolerance among Africans in the educational curricula of all Aftrican countries and from that spot when the young generation gets to realise the importance and the need for African Solidariy, then the United States of Africa will find a footing.

Thanks for reading my comments.

I think it is time to be realistic in all these strategies, people and the people alone should drive the process, not a select group of plitical appointees.

Important as capacity building and support for government officials and policy makers is, this has not impacted on the lives of the poor and unemployed youths in real terms. I would like to suggest that what is need at this point are direct sizable loans to group of unemployed youths in form of agricultural inputs, agro- processing equipments and other manufacturing equipments that will create employment for them sustainably.

It seems that those responsible for formulating and implementing strategies are either not fully conscious of the needs or the there is need for more sincerity and radical approach to bridge the poverty gap. There is no short cut, government cannot create employment for everyone and neither can most of the people have bankable collateral to start out with which is why dishonesty and other forms of inexplicable violence are rife; in fact it will be hard to tackle HIV/AIDS without addressing poverty because dare need pressurizes into prostitution and compromising basic ideals.

My concern is how the grassroot NGOs would be represented in the future and upcoming programmes of this magnitude. Your may not believe this, the grassroot NGOs are really working. Some of these grassroot bodies havenever access fund before now but they are so committed. Please, do send invitations to as many organizations as possible whenever this kind of workshops, seminars and conferences are to hold.
Thank you and I hope that you will follow my advice.

Sesan Olukoya,
Executive Director,
African Youth Empowerment-Nigeria(AYEN),
P.O.Box 2965, Somolu,
Lagos,Nigeria.
2348056310336, ayen_nigeria@yahoo.com

Fix your problems at home first.

One important aspect is that there is a political will and willingness to cooperate on bothsides.what does not work is getting right fundamental principles to cooperate in place.

we need to rethink our strategies and policies and we have to cope-up with modernisation. The private sector should play a catalytical role in spearheading this strategy therefore lets involve in the initial consultation their views and suggestions in this process is critical because they own resources and wealth of knowledge about how market works in the circumstances of goverment failure private sector intervenes to correct goverment failures.