Stakeholders want regular platform to review implementation, coordination of NEPAD
NEPAD stakeholders have strongly recommended the convening of a regular session to review joint coordination efforts towards the implementation of NEPAD programmes and projects in African countries and agree on ways of enhancing them.
The recommendation was made at the high level dialogue on enhanced coordination towards the implementation of the priorities of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) which took place in Durban, South Africa early June, according to a press release issued by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) June 21, 2012.
The workshop, which was jointly organized by the ECA and NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA), brought together members of the NEPAD Steering Committee, National NEPAD Focal Points, Focal Points of NEPAD sectoral programmes, the African Union and the UN system in the framework of the Regional Coordination Mechanism in support of AU/NEPAD.
Its aim was to forge a common understanding on the processes of implementing NEPAD and enhance coordination amongst the various stakeholders.
The press release said the workshop reviewed operations of NEPAD Country Offices and Focal Points to enhance inter-country coordination and coherence. It also reviewed coordination amongst the various Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and between the RECs and the NEPAD Agency.
The workshop concluded that there was a need to develop a more effective mechanism for promoting inter-country coherence and coordination among all stakeholders.
Participants also agreed on the need to institutionalize a regular forum of NEPAD Focal Points and recommended NPCA to strengthen communication on NEPAD by creating a NEPAD database and communication guidelines for engagement on NEPAD issues at the national level.
NPCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki will present the recommendations and the formal report, Durban Statement, to the NEPAD Steering Committee and the Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC) during the upcoming African Union Summit in Addis Ababa in July, the press release indicated.
By Ekow Quandzie