GHANA: SECAM Appeals for Consideration of Africa to Help Continent’s Economic Recovery Following Covid-19
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has appealed to various stakeholders for continued collaboration with the African continent during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, asking for debt relief among other pleas to help in economic recovery after recession.
“Judging from its devastating effects, it can be said without doubt that the consequences of the pandemic are tragic. On economic level, recession is evident due to the shutdown of activities especially in key production sectors, tourism, air transport and the hotel industry,” the African continental body of Catholic Bishops says in a statement signed by the President of SECAM Cardinal Phillipe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo.
“The social explosion is to be feared in many countries, and in particular, in Africa that is already burdened with debts and where unemployment continues to worsen,” the statement highlights and adds, “We would like to plead for the massive cancellation of debts of African countries, to enable them to revive their economies.”
Addressing the bilateral and multilateral groups in anticipation of the post-COVID-19 economic situation, SECAM appeals to stakeholders to “take a closer look at the case of Africa, which is currently facing the problem of lack of resources in the fight against the pandemic and those who, working in the informal sector, have had to suspend their activities due to lockdowns.”
In the statement released on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, the Bishops continental body requests the bilateral and multilateral organizations “for substantial aid to be given to the African countries to support the establishment of quality health systems; to promote the emergence of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) aimed at easing unemployment problem; and to support food security.”
The Bishops body further calls “on the business community and the pharmaceutical companies, both formal and informal, not to exploit the situation to make profit but join in the efforts to provide care for vulnerable people.”
According to the Church leaders, COVID-19 which is causing health crisis should be an eye opener for the continent to find ways of getting rid of “diseases like malaria and tuberculosis, which continue to plague the continent.
SECAM also appeals to the African Union “to sensitize member countries to contribute to the creation of a Solidarity Fund, which will be used to improve the health of the populations,” adding that African leaders should ensure “that the limited resources available are used to assist those who really need help, especially the poorest of the poor.”
“We exhort all the Church institutions directly involved in this fight to remain steadfast and to work with other non-Church institutions in the promotion of good heath for all people of Africa and Madagascar,” they added.
The Bishops body further appreciates government leaders in their effort to stem the spread of Coronavirus and also thanked the “health professionals and Religious nuns who have shown extraordinary dedication to alleviating the suffering of the sick.”
“In this time when many are in dire need, let us help them to experience the love of God. In the same vein, let us not stigmatize those who have recovered from COVID-19 disease but accept them warmly and make them feel happy to be back to their families or communities,” the Bishops’ statement concluded.
