Friday, June 29, 2007

KOFI ANNAN.-

(openPR) - New York, NY - June 25, 2007 - Six months after he left the UN, Former United Nations Secretary, General Annan, is to head up an organization set up by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to try to revolutionize the productivity of Africa's millions of small farmers.
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Addressing the World Economic Forum in Cape Town , where his role was unveiled, Mr Annan said sub-Saharan Africa was the only region in the world where per capita food production had steadily decreased. Three-quarters of its arable land lacked fertilizer, he added.
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He is to be the chairperson of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (Agra). A loose coalition of donors, business, government, and civil society. It aims to provide a range of help, including, water management, access to markets, improving irrigation and soil health, and backing development of new seed systems. To comment on this recent appointment, i1connect contacted former African Center Foundation board member, Daniel Imperato, who is still very involved with Africa.
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"I am very happy for Mr. Kofi Annan and congratulate him on his new post. He is a fine leader, and I am sure that his passion to help Africa will benefit the continent greatly," stated Imperato.
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Imperato also has his own international organization called Imperato Associates, which is based out of London.
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The association focuses on strategic studies for the Middle East, European Union, Africa, Latin America, and the Far East.
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During the interview, Imperato also mentioned that he would welcome Kofi Annan to work with him as part of the Imperato Associates.
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"If Mr. Annan would like to combine his current activities with Africa with our organization, I would like to personally invite him to join the Imperato Associates. I could not think of a finer man to represent the region within our group," stated Imperato.
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Imperato currently serves as the United Nations representative for the Orden Bonaria, one of the oldest and largest humanitarian organizations in the world.

*** Excerpts from this article were used from "Annan to lead revolution for African farmers". Financial Times. June 15, 2007.