. Chikwanda
By JUDITH NAMUTOWE -
FINANCE Minister Alexendar Chikwanda on Tuesday swore in former Nigerian Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina as the new African Development Bank (AfDB) Group president.
Mr Chikwanda swore in Dr Adesina in his (Mr Chikwanda’s) capacity as AfDB Board of Governors chairperson at an event which took place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
He described the occasion as “a historic changing of the guard for the AfDB, the pride of Africa.”
This is according to a statement posted on AfDB website which was accessed by the Times of Zambia in Lusaka yesterday.
Dr Adesina said under his presidency, the bank would expand opportunities and unlock potentials for countries, women, youths and the private sector, with a view to ushering in a new wave of growth and development shared by all.
He said this when he addressed the gathering during the swearing-in ceremony.
“The sparkle in the eyes of the fortunate few is drowned by the sense of exclusion by the majority.
“Hundreds of millions of people are left behind. …. Africa can no longer be content with simply managing poverty. For our future and the future of our children, we must eliminate it.
“Future generations will look back on your work with respect and admiration. We have a sacred duty to honour your hard work by building upon the solid foundation that you have created. We must integrate Africa, grow together, develop together. Our collective destiny is tied to breaking down the barriers separating us,” he said.
Dr Adesina said there was need to build stronger partnerships for impact from the private sector, civil society and academic institutions, multilateral and bilateral development agencies.
There was further need to advance Africa’s priorities, as envisaged by the founding fathers and mothers of the bank.
He said Africa should develop the private sector to drive the industrialisation of the continent, create employment for the young, empower the rural populations as well as women and lift millions out of poverty.