Sections:
Building capable states in Africa - policy priorities for
the G8
In a speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research conference on 6 December 2004,
UK Secretary of State
for International Development Hilary Benn outlines some of the challenges
involved in African development. Mr Benn explains how the UK is working with international
partners such as the Commission for Africa, the European Union and G8 to lay the foundations
for growth in African countries, and highlights success in countries
such as Mozambique, Uganda and Ghana.
Mr Benn defines a "capable state" as:
"... a prerequisite for economic growth. It creates the environment which allows it to happen. It also offers the chance for the fruits of that growth to be shared by all. Capable states demonstrate governance at every level. They are at war with corruption. ‘Good governance’ – which for so long in Africa was about getting power and keeping it – is in reality about serving the people. It’s about giving them both a tangible present and future benefit – in education, health, social security, sanitation, water, electricity, housing. It’s about efficiency, transparency, and accountability – right across the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature. On a more human scale, it’s about feeling confident at what will happen if you have to go to court or pay a water bill, or if you want to write a letter to the editor of a newspaper or make a request to your local or your national government."
- Read the full speech
(122 KB)
Institute
for Public Policy Research