Research Methodology Trianing

Regional Conference on Assessment of Poverty Reduction Strategies in the sub-Saharan Africa

OSSREA held a regional conference on “Assessment of Poverty Reduction Strategies in the sub-Saharan Africa: The Cases of Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda Uganda and Zambia” from 28th February to 1st March 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Conference was conducted as an integral part of one of the OSSREA’s Specialised Projects, “Assessment of Poverty Reduction Strategies in sub-Saharan Africa” that covers six countries in the sub region and was launched by OSSREA in 2003. The project was essentially driven by the general objective of analysing the ongoing poverty reduction strategy processes and providing timely assistance to policy makers and other stakeholders.

Accordingly, the Conference was aimed at providing the opportunity for all stakeholders in the area to meet and share ideas, and exchange experiences. Particularly, it was intended to serve as a forum for the 18 researchers from the six target countries in the region to present the findings of their three-year research on the implementation and achievement of the Poverty Reduction Strategies in their respective countries, receive comments from the Resource Persons in their respective countries, as well as to facilitate cross-country experience sharing and exchange of views between representatives of governments, directors of the Poverty Reduction Offices in each of the countries and representatives of regional and international organizations and the donor community.

Dr. Grephas P. Opata, from OSSREA Kenya Chapter and Member of OSSREA Executive Committee welcomed all the guests of the Conference to Kenya. He then briefed participants on the Project and the purpose of the Conference, and on the history and role of the OSSREA Kenya Chapter. He also thanked the participants for finding time away from their busy schedules to attend the Conference.

Dr. Alfred, G. Nhema, Executive Secretary of OSSREA, delivered the Welcoming Address. In his address, the Executive Secretary outlined the various programmes and projects undertaken by OSSREA and described the progress and achievements of the Organisation. He also explained the objectives of both the project and the Conference and the major phases the project had gone through. In his closing, he thanked the researchers and participating policy makers for their valuable and timely contributions in the search for sustainable solutions to the eradication of poverty; the guests and participants for sacrificing their time in order to take part in the occasion, the members of the OSSREA Kenya Chapter and OSSREA’s donors, particularly the African Development Bank, for their important contributions to the success of the project and the conference.

Hon. Mrs. Nsanzabaganwa Monique, Minister of Planning and National Development, Republic of Rwanda, also gave a brief Opening Remarks. In her speech, the Honourable Minister expressed her appreciation for being invited to attend the Conference on behalf of the government of Rwanda and thanked the OSSREA Kenya Chapter for their warm welcome. She noted the crucial importance the research findings and the Conference would have in facilitating cross- country communication, and expressed her hope that the participants would learn from the six sets of experiences. The Honourable Minister also commented on the concept of Poverty Reduction Strategy and the issue of ownership from various perspectives, and underlined that it was time to rethink of and redefine the concept of “participation” since participation of all stakeholders was missing at certain stages of implementation. Finally she commended OSSREA for its involvement in development matters in the region, the Rwandan Chapter for its vibrancy, the African Development Bank for its sponsorship, and other learning and research institutions for their active interest and participation.

The final Opening Remark was given by Hon. Ekwe Ethuro, Assistant Minister for Planning and National Development, Republic of Kenya, on behalf of Hon. Henry Obwocha, Minister for Planning and National Development, Republic of Kenya.

The Assistant Minister apologised on behalf of Hon. Henry Obwocha for not making it to the opening of the Conference, and welcomed the guests to Kenya, and are participants to the Conference.

In his remarks, the Assistant Minister reflected on the various features of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the experience of Kenya in that regard. He expressed his hope that the Conference would provide a useful forum to deliberate on ways to alleviate poverty. Finally he thanked the sponsors and the organizers of the Conference for their contributions, and wished the participants fruitful deliberations.

The presentation of the sixteen researchers was followed by the remarks of the Resource Persons from each country, and deliberations on the findings. The researchers received comments from the Resource Persons, fellow researchers and participants of the Conference.

The Conference was attended by close to 100 participants, including government officials, researchers, social scientists, academicians, and representatives of regional and international non-governmental organizations.

The two- day Conference came to an end after the reading out of the final statement of the event, and the closing speech of Dr. Kassahun Birhanu, OSSREA Resident Vice President.

Final Statement of the Regional Conference on the Assessment of Poverty Reduction Strategies in sub-Saharan Africa: The Cases of Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia

This Report covers the deliberations, recommendations and resolutions from 18 research reports on six countries and the comments of six (6) Resource Persons on the reports. There was a general consensus:

That all the six countries have Poverty Reduction Strategies) and Programmes (PRSPs).

That while the initial conception of the PRSPs was the brainchild of the World Bank, IMF and other international Donors, the programmes have been domesticated to local conditions.

That in most of the countries attempts were made to ensure inclusive participation by all the relevant stakeholders but the levels of actual participation varied between countries.

Within all the six countries, ownership of the PRSPs is a contentious issue and takes various forms.

Similarly, sustainability was a common matter of concern as it is generally perceived that the programmes may not be sustainable without external support.

Implementation of PRSPs should be as all inclusive as possible.

Monitoring and Evaluation should include both internal and external components.

That direct approaches to poverty reduction should be included in the PRSPs.

That PRSPs should be an integral component of National Development Plans at all levels of society.

That the issue of Governance must be tackled as the primary entry point to poverty reduction.

Participants of the Conference on Assessment of Poverty Reduction Strategies in the sub-Saharan Africa: The Cases of Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda Uganda and Zambia

Back| Next | Content| Top| Main