AMECEA: Fr. Igweta Calls for Comprehensive Debt Strategies to Safeguard Health, Education, and Growth in Eastern Africa”
Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
“The debt burden in Eastern African countries presents a multi-faceted challenge, restricts the ability to invest in essential sectors like health and education, limits economic growth by stifling innovation and infrastructure development, and can create social and political instability”, Fr. Paul Igweta said at the launching of Jubilee 2025 Debt Cancellation Campaign on January 12th, 2025, at Radisson Blu hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
Fr. Igweta the coordinator of Promotion of Integral Human Development (PIHD) department at Association of Members Episcopal Conference in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), presenting on the effects of debt burden on health, education, and economy suggested that “Eastern African nations need comprehensive strategies, including debt restructuring, more diversified economies, and greater”.
According to Fr. Igweta servicing of debt by most of the African nations has led to the diversion of funds away from the productive sectors and without investment in infrastructure like roads, electricity, internet access, businesses cannot operate efficiently, growth stagnates.
The Kenya born cleric also noted that debt burden has contributed to mental health since most of the “population are experiencing increased stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly among vulnerable groups, such as those living in poverty, leading to reduced ability to cope with existing health challenges, further worsening the country’s overall health indicators”.
Expounding more on how debt burden is affecting education sector Fr. Igweta pointed out that debt “exacerbates” the wealth gap between rural and urban population, therefore those in urban areas might still have access to better schools, creating significant “disparities in the quality of education across the country”.
He further opined that for many countries within AMECEA region to achieve sustainable development there is need for reconsidering debt strategies, renegotiating terms with creditors, and seek new approaches for financing development that do not compromise the well-being of the citizens.
