ECA Executive Secretary arrives for meeting

Accra (Greater Accra), 9th June '99 -

The Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission of Africa (ECA), Dr K. Amoako, arrived in Accra on Tuesday to participate in a three-day African regional council meeting of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) which opens in Accra tomorrow.

The conference is under the theme, "African universities, the private sector and civil society: forging partnerships for development".

Participants would include the academia, scientists, policy makers, business executives, economists and educationists.

The conference is expected to examine the role of African universities in the development of the informal sector, and also discuss topics as, 'forging relations between African universities and business', 'higher education and good governance' and 'the industrial and technology sector'.

Dr Amoako told journalists at the airport that the theme for the meeting was most appropriate and relevant as some African universities are in crises and there is the need to find ways to address them before the next millennium.

He recalled a meeting of African economic ministers meeting in Addis Ababa agreed to help reduce poverty by half by the turn of the century and noted that many African countries are putting up structures for the take-off of their economic development.

On the issue of financing and attracting investment to Africa, Dr Amoako said a lot more has to be done by African governments to raise domestic and foreign capital.

Professor George Benneh, Chairman of IAUP met Dr Amoako on arrival.

GRi?/