AU delegation wants Agenda 2063 added in national policy

A delegation from the African Union, AU, have sensitised decision makers and other stakeholders in Cameroon on the importance of incorporating the AU’s Agenda 2063 in the national policy of the country.

Agenda 2063, adopted in June last year in Johannesburg, South Africa is both a vision and an action plan which calls for all segments of the African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa, based on shared values and a common destiny.

It is based on seven pillars ranging from promoting inclusive growth in the continent, globalisation, a united policy system based on the principles of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance, democracy and the respect of human rights, strengthening Regional institutions and making Africa voice powerful at the international scene.

The AU Interim Chief of Mission in the Department of Planning, Shumba Tichawona, said the Agenda 2063 has been well drafted and underlined the fact that success depends on unity of purpose, transparency, placing citizens’ first, sound governance, willingness and the ability to assess performance and correct mistakes timely.

To him, the development of Africa warrants the participation of all countries through incorporating the principles of this vision in their national policies.

“Given that Cameroon also has its vision 2035, uniting this action plan with her developmental ambitions will only hasten the realisation of this vision,because it will greatly improve her domestic input process,” he stated.

He however stated that Cameroon is already inan advanced stage in integrating these values and only need support and guidance from the AU.

For the Director of Regional Integration at the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Dorothy Tataw Bekolo, creating awareness about Agenda 2063 will facilitate its integration process into the national policies of several countries which will speed up the anticipated development across the country.

“Agenda 2063 should be seen as a logical continuation of recent developments with renewed and invigorated efforts to catalyze development and strengthen African integration and unity. It aims to build upon the achievements and draw lessons from earlier strategic planning efforts at the Regional and Sub-regional levels.

Indeed, Agenda 2063’s guiding principle is continuity of actions, drawing appropriate lessons, building upon what has worked in the past; and in brief making every effort to do things better,” she said.

Observers have questioned why the action plan covers such a long term period which will make its follow-up cumbersome.