Meet Kwabena Osei-Danquah — ICPD beyond 2014 Executive Director
When I met Mr Kwabena Osei-Danquah in September 2013, I was stunned by his humble demeanour. As the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) beyond 2014 executive co-ordinator, he was at the centre of the Africa Regional Conference on ICPD beyond 2014 held in Addis Ababa in September 2013.
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Mr Osei-Danquah, one of the few of the most senior Ghanaian officials currently at the United Nations headquarters, found it important to pay attention to delegates’ issues, some personal, and always responded to the constant demands of the journalists who covered the conference.
What is ICPD beyond 2014
In September 1994, the ICPD held in Cairo came out with a visionary 20-year programme of action for improving the quality of life of every person, ensuring sustained economic growth and achieving sustainable development. That programme of action was central to the Millennium Development Goals 16 years later.
In view of the assessment by the General Assembly of the United Nations that the goals and objectives of the programme of action will not be achieved by the end of its time frame, the assembly adopted in December 2010 the General-Assembly Resolution 65/234 on the follow-up to the implementation of the programme of action beyond 2014.
The resolution requested a review of the implementation of the programme of action at the country, regional and global levels on the basis of the highest-quality data and analysis of the state of population and development, taking into account the need for a systematic, comprehensive and integrated approach to population and development, responding to new challenges and the changing development environment and reinforcing the integration of the population and development agenda in global processes related to development.
Role of the ICPD beyond 2014 executive director
As the Executive Co-ordinator of the secretariat set up to manage the review and produce the reports of the review, Mr Osei-Danquah is responsible for bringing together all the partners identified in the review such as UN System organisations, civil society organisations, institutions and experts to formulate the methodology and activities of the review; ensure the most effective way to generate data and information; work with and support all governments and regional institutions to undertake the most technically rigorous, open and participatory global survey and to facilitate the regional reviews.
In addition, he has the task of organising global thematic conferences or meetings on a number of issues where more in-depth examination and multi-stakeholder discussions are required beyond the global survey on youth, women's health, human rights and an ICPD beyond 2014 monitoring framework.
“It is my responsibility to ensure that all these activities lead to two reports on findings and recommendations for the further implementation of the ICPD beyond 2014. The role spanned the range of management, policy, technical and political requirements for undertaking such an extensive and comprehensive global mandate,” said Mr Osei-Danquah.
As the manager of the process and facilitator of the outcome, his role is to help come up with a new framework of actions that will not be negotiated but will have the support of all UN-member states because of its authority.
Prof. Fred T. Sai
Mr Osei-Danquah says his work has been inspired by Prof. Fred T. Sai, another Ghanaian who co-chaired the 1994 ICPD conference where the programme of action was negotiated. “His knowledge, vision, wisdom and leadership skills were crucial for achieving the consensus that has guided the world in putting people at the centre of development,” he said.
Prof. Sai’s achievements and effective role as global advocate for the rights of people, including sexual and reproductive health and rights as an essential condition for development, has been an inspiration, he said, adding; “I have sought to build on his vision and achievements.”
ICPD still relevant
According to Mr Osei-Danquah, the ICPD will continue to be relevant as long as there is poverty, discrimination, inequality and “we seek a balance between a world without poverty and an environment safe for succeeding generations.”
The evidence of the review, he expanded, overwhelmingly supports the ICPD consensus that respects the protection, promotion and fulfilment of human rights as necessary preconditions for individual capability, resilience, sustainability and for the dignity, wellbeing of all people, especially women and adolescent girls, and for empowering them to exercise their reproductive rights.
Furthermore, the evidence proves that sexual and reproductive health, rights and understanding the implications of population dynamics are foundational to sustainable development. It also safeguards the rights of young people and invests in their quality education, and offers decent employment opportunities, effective livelihood skills and access to sexual and reproductive health as well as comprehensive sexuality education and strengthens young people’s individual resilience.
In Africa, where the least progress has been made, achieving the demographic dividend depends on this, he emphasised.
What next after the ICPD consultations.
Mr Osei-Danquah said the outcome of the consultations demanded that governments worked to ensure that the comprehensive analysis of what worked for all people to propel development and the recommendations were integrated into any post — 2015 development agenda that emerges in September 2015.
It is also important that governments integrate the findings and recommendations into their national planning frameworks and revise policies as appropriate, he added.
“There are recommendations that require action at the global level such as the reform of international institutions to enable them respond to the global challenges we face as we seek to eliminate poverty, achieve equality and equity and sustainability,” Mr Osei-Danquah indicated.
Work background
Mr Osei-Danquah has also worked as a Ghanaian diplomat posted to the Ghana Permanent Mission in New York where he had the responsibility for economic and financial issues.
He then worked for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) where, as the one responsible for external relations and the executive board, he advised and managed the intergovernmental efforts to ensure continuous support and implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action.
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“There has been one defining and continuous link between my service as a diplomat, whether as the negotiator of the Group of 77 developing countries for financing for development and the Rio + 10 World Summit on Sustainable Development or as a UN staff, I have had the opportunity to contribute to the efforts to give everyone the opportunity to achieve the best in themselves and to live in dignity and peace,” he noted.
Personal background
Mr Osei-Danquah was an American Field Service Exchange Student in the United States for one year. He studied in the University of Ghana (Modern History and English), the University of Nairobi (International Relations, including International Economic Relations and Diplomacy) and GIMPA (Public Administration).
Writers Email: rosemary.ardayfio@graphic.com.gh