From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The 5th edition of the African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD V) in Accra, Ghana, has ended with a resounding call for debt cancellation through reparations and reparative justice.
This was contained in a statement by Rev David Ugolor, the Executive Director of African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), and made available to the media in Kaduna on Tuesday.
The statement said that over 500 participants from across the globe gathered to discuss Africa’s debt crisis and potential solutions, emphasizing the need for collective action.
The statement further stated that the ANEEJ delegate was led by the Executive Director, Rev David Ugolor, and included the Programme Officer, Paul Odokara.
The conference culminated in a powerful rally, where participants bearing placards with bold inscriptions marched through the streets, chanting liberation and solidarity songs that echoed through the air.
Ghanaian youths showcased vibrant artistic and dramatic displays, bringing the rally to life with their energetic performances.
The rally’s theme, “We Don’t Owe, We Won’t Pay,” resonated with the crowd, as they demanded cancellation of African debts by the IMF and World Bank.
The Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (ITUC) in Ghana, Comrade Joshua Ansah, read out an 8-point demand, calling for debt cancellation, social security for workers, transparency, and accountability in debt contraction and management, among others.
The Deputy Finance Minister of Ghana, Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, pledged his support for the union’s demands, promising to present them to the President
The conference featured a keynote address by Dr. Liliane Umubyeyi, Founder and CEO of Africa Futures Lab, and several sessions discussing burning issues about Africa’s development and the debt conundrum.
The Chair of AFRODAD’s Board of Trustees, Barbara Kalima-Phiri, emphasized the essence of the theme, stating, “Africa does not owe the world, the world owes Africa.” She urged African leaders to look inward and fix their problems, rather than relying on external solutions
The conference is a step forward in the fight against Africa’s debt crisis. With the support of trade unions, civil society organizations, and governments, there is hope for a brighter future. As the participants reiterated, “We Can’t Pay” is a different conversation, one that requires a re-evaluation of the current debt structure and a push for reparative justice
The AfCoDD V conference has set the stage for a new era of activism and advocacy. As the participants dispersed, they carried a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
The fight for debt cancellation and reparative justice is far from over, but with collective action and solidarity, there is hope for a more equitable futurep
