The late Kofi Annan
Ghana has joined in the celebration of the ‘International Eradication Day of poverty’ which is held every October 17 to raise awareness about people living in poverty.
This year's celebration is on the theme ‘Acting together to empower children, their families and communities to end poverty’.
In Ghana, about 6.8 million people are noted to be living in poverty, according to the 2016/2017 Ghana Living Standards Survey Round 7 report produced by the Ghana Statistical Service.
These poverty-stricken persons cannot afford to spend more than 1USD per day which is equivalent to GHC 5.42
Again, the report notes that 2.4 million Ghanaians, representing 8.2 percent, live in abject poverty as they cannot afford to spend up to GH¢3 a day on food.
However, the country is looking forward to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Goal 1 of ending poverty in all forms by 2030.
On the face of this issue, several global leaders have shared their views on how people can help eradicate poverty worldwide.
Below are some quotes on poverty from past and present prominent leaders
1. “Extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere.” — Kofi Annan, Seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. “Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.” — Aristotle, Greek philosopher.
3. “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” — Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political and spiritual leader.
4. “I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions they will be moved to act.” — Bill Gates, business magnate and philanthropist.
5. “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” - Albert Einstein
6. “When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed.” — Mother Teresa, Roman Catholic nun.
7. “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
8. “As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” — Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa.
9. “Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.” — Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa
10. “You can't get rid of poverty by giving people money.” — P.J. O'Rourke, political satirist
