wfn.org | Africa's greatest challenge

[Theo Coggin +2711-648-5461 / +2711-487-0026]

e-mail: coggin@sn.apc.org

The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, the Most Revd
Njongonkulu Ndungane, says the greatest challenge facing Africa is the
need to increase food production and to raise incomes.

Speaking during a panel discussion today (Wednesday 25 February) in
which the effect of the sale of arms on poverty was addressed,
Archbishop Ndungane made it clear that there was scant room for the
manufacture and sale of arms on a continent in which poverty was
widespread.

He warned that there can be no peace without development, and that there
can never be peace, stability and a sustainable future if a quarter of
the world’s population lives in abject poverty.

He noted that many people lacked information and access to  productive
assets or to the markets for their goods and labour, and called for
rural poverty, in particular, to be addressed. 

'Seventy per cent of people in Sub-Saharan  Africa live in rural areas.
Despite urbanisation, nearly three-quarters of the poor will continue to
live in rural areas well into the next century,' he pointed out. 

The first and greatest challenge is to increase food production and
raise incomes in these areas. 

'In Africa, more than in any other region, a prosperous agriculture is
crucial to the reduction of poverty, management of natural resources and
food security. 

'The second major challenge is to promote rural, rather than just
agricultural, growth.  Infrastructure and social services must be
developed through non-agricultural projects to support and strengthen
the rural economy.'

Archbishop Ndungane said that the eradication of poverty was an urgent
priority. 

'It is our responsibility as God's stewards of his creation to ensure
that every person has access to what is  so fundamental to human living
– food, housing,  health care, clothing. There can never be peace,
stability and sustainable future if about a quarter of the world's
population live in abject poverty.

'Poor people, particularly women, are the most vulnerable to all forms
of violence, crime and civil conflict. Such is the state of affairs in
our world today,” the Archbishop said.

The address of the Homepage of the Church of the Province of Southern
Africa is www://cpsa.org.za/