Map of Africa

The former secretary general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan has attributed high poverty rates on the African continent to lack of political goodwill inform of better policies and increased funding to development initiatives.

Annan who is in Uganda Capital City of Kampala, attending the International Criminal Court (ICC) Review Conference said in a statement to journalists that the continent has enough human and natural resources to propel development.

He warned African leaders to avoid over depending on the rich western countries to drive their economic development because they have a primary responsibility to drive equitable growth and making investments needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Annan who is also the Chairperson of the African Progress Panel blamed the rich western countries for doing little to help Africa get out of poverty because they are not fulfilling their financial promises to help fund development initiatives.

The former UN chief also blamed African leaders for failing to effectively communicate the importance of their development agenda at the heart of global policies. He says a number of times African issues are overshadowed by the international media.

Activists continue to attribute the high poverty levels on the African continent to bad leadership, conflicts, unfair trade policies by the rich countries and high illiteracy levels.

By Solomon Akugizibwe

Ultimate Media