Africa needs trade to develop—JB
Former president Joyce Banda has underscored the need for developed countries to strengthen trade ties with African countries for their continued development.
Banda, popularly known as JB, said this as part of a public lecture she delivered at Kansas State University in the United States (US) where she has been living in a self-imposed exile since her People’s Party (PP) led administration lost to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the 2014 Tripartite Elections.
According to a US publication, The Mercury, the former president said strengthening trade with African countries stands to benefit unemployed university graduates.
She said: “What Africa needs is trade. I am not saying don’t give aid. But if we want to make an impact, we must create sustainable employment opportunities for the 50 percent unemployed college graduates across Africa so they will not swim across the Mediterranean to go looking for opportunities in Europe.”
Banda added that there is a lot the US can learn from Africa, referring to her two-year presidency as an indication that Africa has so far done well.
She said: “The biggest question I ever get is how can the United States not elect a female president in its 200 years of democracy. I don’t understand, because Africa has done well.”
Banda served in various ministerial positions before becoming vice-president in the Bingu wa Mutharika administration. Later, she constitutionally ascended to the presidency following the death of Mutharika in April 2012.
She lost the 2014 elections to incumbent President Peter Mutharika and left the country shortly afterwards.
