Important role for Africa’s media in the development of the continent

Africa’s media has an important role to play in the continent’s development, the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Donald Kaberuka told an international media summit on rebranding Africa, in Tunis on 28 March 2008.

Opening the summit, which was hosted by the bank, he said that the media can assist in the development process by reporting objectively on efforts being made in various domains, and by reporting what works and what is not working in efforts to improve the economy, reduce poverty and improve living standards.

The AfDB is not in the business of setting up media houses, he said, but would endeavour to assist in the training of journalists in business and development communication and related fields.

The African media must build the capacity it requires to make Africa’s voice heard across the world, he added.

The summit, which attracted a cross-section of the media across the world, was organised by the African Communications Agency (ACA) in collaboration with the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Business Roundtable and the Diaspora African Forum.

ACA president Erieka Bernett explained that the theme of this year’s summit, “How the youth can help change the image of Africa in the rebranding process” was in line with the AU Declaration of 2008 as the Year of the Youth.

The youth of Africa, she said, have a responsibility in the rebranding of the continent by ensuring that they continuously strive to improve the economic and social conditions of Africa and portray the positive face of the continent.

Over the three days of the summit the delegates discussed issues relating to the correct and adequate dissemination of information about the “new and emerging Africa” and the rebranding of Africa.

The ACA, with headquarters in Accra, focuses on establishing partnerships and developing initiatives to help change negative perceptions of Africa and to introduce African businesses to the global marketplace. Source : NEPAD, april 4, 2008

NEPAD Business Foundation sets up African project management office

The NEPAD Business Foundation has established a project management office (PMO) to create a new linkage within Africa.

The PMO will provide information on NEPAD projects ; the facilitation and co-ordination of projects ; and partners and programmes across all sectors.

Professional project management capability will ensure correct planning and budgeting, as well as accurate allocations of resources, finances and time.

Administrative support provided by the project office will ensure that all projects have a greater chance of success as terms of reference, project charters, assistance in raising funding, interaction with NBF partners and cross-sectoral interaction will be facilitated by the PMO.

Corporate companies joining the NEPAD Business Foundation will have access to the PMO for any large projects they are establishing in Africa. The PMO will also double-up as the centre for knowledge management for all sectors within the NBF, thus helping to co-ordinate and support sector activity.

In addition, the PMO will assist each sector by tracking and reporting on sector progress, as well as driving and monitoring NBF-driven initiatives.

The PMO will be financed initially through sponsorships, but the long-term intention is to be self-funding through facilitation fees and service fees and thereby contributing to the NBF’s sustainability in the years ahead.

The establishment of the PMO is seen as a vital link to facilitate projects between government and the private sector, providing added value to NBF members. Source : NEPAD, april 4, 2008

NEPAD-Spanish Fund : call for documents

The NEPAD Secretariat would like to remind applicants to the NEPAD-Spanish Fund for the Empowerment of Women that the first call for funding proposals was closed as at the end of August 2007. To this effect, any application received after that date will not be considered. As soon as the second call for proposals is ready, the NEPAD Secretariat will invite all applicants to resubmit proposals.

In order to begin with disbursements, the NEPAD Secretariat requests the organisations that responded to the first call for proposals before the end of August 2007, to kindly resubmit the following documents :

Project document and budget Annexure I

Accountability procedures to be established before disbursement : Separate bank account. Authorised signatories. Existence of payments and receipts procedures. Company petty cash rules. Company disbursement procedures. Company anti-corruption code of conduct. Legal and administration information required : Registration certificate. Membership register. Office bearers. Organisation profile and affiliations. Certificate of good conduct/code of conduct if available. Annexure III

We are aware that some organisations have already sent all these documents. However, it would be very helpful to us, if they could be resubmitted. This is in order for us to begin processing the Fund disbursements. All organisations are also kindly requested to submit to the NEPAD Secretariat, all contact details. Your cooperation in this regard will be greatly appreciated. Source : NEPAD, april 4, 2008