Kikwete appointed to commission for Africa

By Guardian Reporter
President Jakaya Kikwete has been appointed to a special commission for Africa formed by Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who will also chair it. A State House press statement issued in Dar es Salaam yesterday said the commission would deal with issues relating to youths and employment in Africa. The youth generation could be used to bring about development and welfare in Africa, the statement quoted Rasmussen as saying. It added that the move had been prompted by the fact that half of sub-Saharan Africa`s population comprised under-18s. The commission`s objectives revolve around climate change, education, economic growth, and efforts to ensure gender equality and equity. Rasmussen places a premium on the need for a new outlook on ways of bringing about enhanced development and co-operation. This includes assistance and policies able to help Africans have a clearer picture of their contribution to world development. The Prime Minister said he had named President Kikwete to the commission ``for his great vision, experiences and leadership``. According to the statement, the President has accepted the appointment ``because the objectives of the commission are in line with Tanzania`s own policy of empowering youths and increasing employment in a bid to eradicate poverty``. The commission is set to hold its first meeting mid next month to draw up the strategies and plans of reaching its targets, with more meetings coming in the next one year. ``The recommendations of the commission and the results of its duties will be released in period of one year for implementation purposes,`` said the statement. Other members of the commission are to be drawn from non-governmental and other social organisations but no names were given. However, the statement said key development stakeholders from international organisations particularly from Africa, the private sector, as well as individual businesspeople and academics would also be involved in the commission`s meetings.
SOURCE: Guardian