| From: |
Adeyemo Gabriel [ profile ] |
| Subject: |
Africa's future is in the hands of its people and its leaders
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| Sent: |
Feb 8th, 2011 - 14:51:21 |
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Source:* BusinessGhana*
AUTHOR: Bill Gates
http://www.businessghana.com/portal/news/index.php?op=getNews&news_cat_id=&id=141499
My Fellow Advocate, this is a very interesting piece from the web guru,
"Bill Gates" himself and i think he shed more lights on his perspectives for
Africa and Africans................
African Leaders convene in Addis Ababa to debate the development of the
Continent
Bill and Melinda Gates pledge support to Committed Leadership
In 1993, Melinda and I took our first trip to Africa. I was working with
Microsoft at the time, and I was convinced that the power of technology
could change the world. But during our visit, I saw that many of the worlds
lifesaving, life-enhancing discoveries were not available in Africa. That
was deeply upsetting to me. It didnt fit my belief that innovation is for
everyone.
I became convinced that if science and technology were better applied to the
challenges of Africa, the tremendous potential of the continent would be
unleashed, and people could be healthier and fulfill their promise.
Since our first visit, many African countries have made striking advances,
driven by wise government investments in health and education and
agriculture. Incomes have risen. Poverty has fallen. Trade and investment
have doubled. Childhood deaths are down. Africa is on the rise.
When a country has the skill and self-confidence to take action against its
biggest problems, it makes outsiders eager to be a part of it. That is why
Melinda and I are so optimistic about our work on the continent. We see the
promise.
In my annual letter that comes out today, I talk about the promise I see in
so many areas of health and development, and I argue that the key to living
up to this promise is great leadership. As the African Union meets in Addis
Ababa, this is a great time for African leaders to consider what it will
take to continue the upward trend in Africa.
The principal focus of our foundation is on health. We believe that if
children are healthy, they can learn, become educated, start businesses,
improve their farms, and help their families prosper.
In the area of vaccines the biggest financial commitment of our foundation
there have been some striking successes. From 1980 to 2008, vaccines drove
diphtheria cases down 93 percent, tetanus cases down 85 percent, and measles
cases down 93 percent.
But if we dont keep moving forward, we quickly fall behind. In the last few
years, we didnt do so well vaccinating for measles, and that led to
outbreaks in 28 countries. This doesnt have to happen. Last year, Melinda
went to Malawi and was inspired to see that frontline, well-trained health
care workers helped the country reach at least 85 percent of all infants
with standard vaccines. All countries should try to match that.
Please click the link above to read the full article. its such a nice one.
--
Many Thanks
Yours' in Prevention Science
Adeyemo Gabriel
Moderator: Students' for Microbicides (S4M), Nigeria
Regional Focal Point - West Africa
Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AID (GYCA)
+234-80-6798-7317 | gabriel (at) gyca.org
www.gyca.org | www.tigweb.org
GYCA is a youth-led global network of more than 4,500 young leaders and
adult allies working on youth and HIV/AIDS in 150 countries world-wide.
GYCA's mission is to empower young leaders with the skills, knowledge,
resources and opportunities they need to scale up HIV/AIDS interventions
amongst their peers.
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