Advocacy for an African Healthy Communities Initiative
Generally described as the Dark Continent, Africa currently trails behind the rest of the world; its part of world trade is insignificant. While many nations are emerging like a force to be reckoned with; our aircrafts are still waiting on the tarmac unable to fulfill conditions for take off.
We must overcome the deep seated effects of slavery and colonization, persistent underdevelopment following independence and an intolerable burden of disease.
Good health standards are associated with socioeconomic development whilst poverty invariably goes with ignorance and disease. Since poor health is delaying socioeconomic take off in Africa, there is an urgent need for all Africans to engage in the fight for survival.
Africa’s problems are mutually reinforcing vicious circles which must be tackled together in a holistic manner. This is why we need a healthy communities movement for attaining “development through health”.
Such a movement will contribute to existing community services, building local capacity through interrelated interventions especially expertise, infrastructures/technologies and sustainable development activities
By collaborating with local councils it will ensure that resources reach local populations, mobilize health and development partnerships, ensuring stewardship for transparent management and identify effective leaders for community development targeting the Millennium Development Goals.
The Movement Website, the virtual market place will link up networks of autonomous groups of actor. It would display information on:
• Resource needs of participating communities
• Goods and services proposed by investors, providers and business enterprises
• Resources, goods and services provided by support groups at home and abroad.
The expected outcomes are communities achieving autonomy and self reliance with the support of a network of Africans and friends living at home or abroad.
Empowered communities will achieve better health, promoters/investors will do more business because of increased exchanges and professionals will get better incentives to remain and work at home.
In French
