Australia Institutes Food Aid Programme For Sub-Region, Daily Graphic Fri 25th March 2011, Center Spread

Story: Della Russel Ocloo

Australia has instituted a $12-million food aid programme for the West African sub-region as part of efforts to support food security.
Under the programme, Australia would work with governments within the sub-region to improve human resource capacity and research skills and increase agricultural productivity.
The Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Billy Williams, announced this at a lecture on the topic: ‘Reflection on security series’, held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping and Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra.
The lecture, on the theme “ Re-engagement of Africa, Options and Opportunities”, was attended by participants drawn from the security services and diplomatic missions.
Mr Williams said following current events in Cote d’Ivoire and Libya, his country, through the United Nation’s High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR), had provided humanitarian support to the tune of two million Australian dollars for emergency medical assistance and shelter for displaced people.
That, Mr Williams said, had resulted in the adoption of codes and guidelines for the protection of civilians.
He stated that Australia was keen to increase African participation in defence and security, hence the provision of civil-military training courses for personnel to cover areas of non-combat subjects in peacekeeping and civil-military relations.
He expressed worry over the scourge of terrorism prevalent on the continent although various countries and organisations had made considerable input into a trust fund to deal with the situation.
He was, however, optimistic that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by his country and the African Union in September 2010 would serve and strengthen co-operation in areas of mutual interest.
He gave assurance of Australia’s long-term commitment to peace-building efforts through the UN, particularly to consolidate peace and security in Sierra Leone.
“It is in this light that we are also supporting the country’s national electoral committee and non-governmental coalitions to educate citizens on their civic and political right in the run-up to their critical elections in 2012,” Mr Williams explained.
Mr Williams said Australia intended to build the capacity of Southern Sudan as it prepared to become an independent country, including curbing poverty, which remained a major challenge to global peace and security.
The Deputy Commandant of KAIPTC, Brigadier General George Adjei, who chaired the programme, commended Australia for its decision to renew engagement with African countries, particularly the building of technical and leadership skills of African governments.
He was optimistic the support would go a long way to provide essential services, strengthen law and justice and improve transparency across Africa.