There is a pressing need for urgent action and implementation of policies to achieve inclusive growth now. That’s according to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa wrapping up discussions at the World Economic Forum in Durban on Friday.
He told delegates that everyone should be leaving with the understanding of the urgency of the task at hand as the fate of future generations depend on urgent action.
As the more than 1000 government, business and civil society leaders leave Durban, the consensus is that the time for planning is over and the time for implementation is now.
Most see diversification of economies, infrastructure development, education and regional integration as the key to stimulating the continent’s economic growth.
Beneficiation of minerals, support for entrepreneurship and making it easy to do business are seen as key to unlocking growth.
Siyabonga Gama Transnet CEO said there is a need for bias action and the time for planning and not implementing is over and that it slows down decision making.
The issue of youth unemployment and giving young people the right skills to grow the economies also received a lot of attention. Winnie Byanyima of OXFAM said if our governments can unleash the potential of young people, there are definitely better days to come.
Finance minister Malusi Gigaba says as he is new in his position, he used the opportunity to communicate his views on various issues and policy direction to investors and fellow ministers.
“We started doing that immediately after the reshuffle, and we are continuing to establish that credibility and we will continue to do that”.
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa says it’s important for sustainable inclusive growth to inform every policy decision.
“Our attention now needs to on our ability to take action on deliverables to support inclusive growth.”
Ramaphosa says acting now with an injection of urgency will transform Africa from a continent of promise to a continent of prosperity.
He says there needs to be continuous monitoring of progress made on key deliverables.
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– By Glorious Sefako-Musi
