Président de la Commission de l’Union Africaine (depuis le 1er. février 2008)
Président du Ghana,
Président de l’Union Africaine (depuis janvier 2007)
Experts in metrology – the science if measurement — from more than 20 African countries, regional economic communities, the African Union Commission, and regional metrology organisations convened for three days to discuss the critical role that metrology plays in the broader development of the African continent. They have also reflected on the growing role that metrology plays in modern societies especially in areas of trade, health and environment.
AFRIMETS is the result of extensive consultations among metrology experts in Africa over the past two years.
“There was an overwhelming agreement that a Pan-African platform is urgently needed to address the challenges facing African countries to respond to international requirements,” Karim Khalil from the NEPAD Secretariat explained. “Hence, NEPAD was excited when approached to assist in establishing this platform that will address some of the shortcoming of Africa’s quality infrastructure”.
The MoU spells out the objectives of AFRIMETS, its structure and its envisaged areas of cooperation. Its mission is to promote metrology in Africa to facilitate intra-African and international trade, especially to overcome technical and sanitary and phyto-sanitary barriers to trade. It is also envisaged that AFRIMETS will promote Africa’s interests and its effective participation in international standard-setting bodies.
“Africa was the only remaining continent not fully represented in the international measurement community and the establishment of AFRIMETS will synergise the measurement activities of the different economic groupings in Africa”, said Dr. Wynand Louw, newly appointed chairman of AFRIMETS.
Said Martin Kaser of the German National Metrology Institute (PTB) : “You can only make as well as you can measure. Adequate metrology infrastructure is critical for any country to benefit from trade opportunities, as well as safeguarding consumer protection”.
The General Assembly was organised jointly by the NEPAD Secretariat and the AFRIMETS interim secretariat, with the support of the German PTB and National Metrology Institute of South Africa.
“It is indeed a milestone in Africa’s efforts to improve its quality infrastructure and NEPAD sees this as an important step in realising its vision,” said Dr. Hesphina Rukato, deputy chief executive of the NEPAD Secretariat on the signing of the MoU. Source : NEPAD, july 6, 2007