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15 May, 2001During West African metalworkers' trade union conference, delegates are told to support government struggles against this grave threat.
WEST AFRICA: Trade unions in the West African region have been strongly urged to join their respective government's fight against the HIV virus and AIDS. The call came from Napoleon Kpoh, the general secretary of Ghana's Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union, during a two-day IMF conference held in early May in Accra for West African metal trade unions. In addition, Kpoh, speaking to delegates from Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone, underlined the importance for regional political leaders to seriously tackle issues related to globalisation and structural adjustment.
Also addressing the Accra meeting, the IMF assistant general secretary, Brian Fredricks, stated that with modernisation Africa had become more marginalised than ever. Governments of the region, he said, "should not allow globalisation and the lack of capital inflow to continue to marginalise the continent. The IMF is prepared to assist unions in their capacity-building efforts to enable them to influence political, economic and social decisions." He urged trade unions to guard against outside influence and control which could affect their independent decision-making and to push their respective governments to work more vigorously towards efforts to cancel Africa's debt.
Also addressing the Accra meeting, the IMF assistant general secretary, Brian Fredricks, stated that with modernisation Africa had become more marginalised than ever. Governments of the region, he said, "should not allow globalisation and the lack of capital inflow to continue to marginalise the continent. The IMF is prepared to assist unions in their capacity-building efforts to enable them to influence political, economic and social decisions." He urged trade unions to guard against outside influence and control which could affect their independent decision-making and to push their respective governments to work more vigorously towards efforts to cancel Africa's debt.