Maravi

Africans know what they need to develop - Leslie
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 06 May 2013, 14:00 CAT

UNITED States African Development Foundation chairman Jack Leslie says Africans know what they need to develop their economies.

Addressing journalists in Chipata on Saturday, Leslie who disclosed that the foundation had allocated US$3.5 million to help boost Zambia's food security this year, said Africans should be helped by giving them the tools.

"Our projects are usually three to five-year periods and so those 25 projects you saw are on a 25-year circle and a total value of them is US$ 3.5 million initiative that will be spent this year. We don't pretend to try to tell Africans what they need to develop their economies.

They know better but we should help them by giving them the tools," he said.

Leslie said the foundation targets the most marginalised communities in bringing about sustainable development, adding that their philosophy was targeted at empowering Africans to help themselves.

He said the foundation had allocated half a million dollars for food production projects.

Leslie said District Women's Associations in Chipata, Petauke and Katete were among those benefiting from their funding.

He said he and his entourage was happy with some of the projects that they visited in the province.

Leslie said he noted some of the challenges that some of the funded projects were facing, especially in areas of storage and transport.

Labels: JACK LESLIE

posted by MrK @ 5:09 PM