The Africa Centre’s Annual Lecture 2009

www.africacentre.ie

Last Monday (22nd June 2009) the Gresham Hotel, in central Dublin, hosted the eighth annual lecture of the Africa Centre. The lecture was chaired by Ms Maria Barry from Trocáire. There were two speakers: Ms Massa Washington, a veteran journalist from Liberia, and Dr Sheila Killian, who is a lecturer on finance at the University of Limerick. The two speakers and chair were introduced to us and they were awarded a round of applause before the audience listened closely to what was being said.

First to speak was Ms. Washington and she explained the tragedy of Liberia’s social and economic ills. One of the most startling and upsetting things the former public relations officer told us was of child soldiers. Some as young as ten, who were given narcotics to toughen them up. Make them more aggressive. It was shocking to hear that between 35,000 and 50,000 children in Liberia are used as child soldiers. It will take a big effort to reverse this sad reality.

Corrupt rulers have added to the harsh conditions in Liberia. Ms. Washington goes on to say that the power and wealth of Liberia, a population of about four million, lies with about two per cent of the people.

Massa Washington has, it says in the information pack we are all carefully given, covered the Liberian crisis extensively and has spoken out on Womens rights in the western African state. It is clear she holds Africa close to her heart and it was good to hear what she had to say. We were all fortunate to be honoured with her presence and her words were greeted warmly by everyone in the room.

Next to speak was Dr. Killian. Not a good person for figures, I expected to be bored rigid. Not so. In fact she was quite concise for a university lecturer. The former tax consultant with Ernst & Young took us through the last 30 years of Irish economic history.

On our tax laws she spoke of lower and lower levels of taxation used to attract multi-national firms to set up in Ireland – “a race to the bottom.” The qualified chartered accountant then turned to our generous tax rates. It is made clear to us that the 12½ per cent tax rate is “unsustainable.”

Dr Killian succeeds in explaining clearly, aided by a PowerPoint presentation, the economic realities of attracting business here. By the end of her address I felt I’d learned something, despite my numerical handicap.

Following the two speeches questions were put to both the esteemed guests. After they had been answered, to everyone’s satisfaction, we all made our way to the food that was provided. Wine was flowing and the chatter among us grew louder. Thanks are due to all at the Africa Centre who continue to make a great effort to inform and support the growing African community in Ireland. A wonderful organisation.
© Ian Callagy 2009