Lopes restructures ECA to transform Africa’s agenda

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has announced a major restructuring of its work programme.

The announcement was made by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Carlos Lopes on December 12, 2012 at a staff meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

In a statement, the ECA said the restructuring is to better reflect a “changing world, a new phase of globalization” and also to accelerate Africa’s transformation agenda.

The ECA Chief indicated that he had consulted a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including the Commission’s strategic partners and staff members over the past three months, and developed a better and more targeted structure with new business processes designed to serve Africa better.

According to the statement, Mr Lopes announced the creation of a Macroeconomic Policy Division, Regional Integration and Trade Division, Special Initiatives Division, Social Development Division and a strengthened and expanded African Centre for Statistics which will be charged with collating and collecting credible data and statistics on African development issues.

Mr Lopes also announced the creation of an Office of Partnerships and a Capacity Development Division which is composed of an African Union and NEPAD Team as well as a team of highly skilled experts who will serve as Regional Advisers, the ECA statement says.

The ECA said the new structure is expected to take effect from March 2013 and ten task forces have been established in order to ensure that all opinions and recommendations are factored into the operations of the new structure.

By Ekow Quandzie