The Angolan President, also President of the MPLA and holder of the Executive Power, João Lourenço, appointed 43 individuals, including academics, economists, association leaders and businessmen, to integrate the Economic and Social Council to ensure a “more active” participation in the programming and execution of national development tasks.
JJoão Lourenço appoints, in a decree, the Angolan sociologist and academic José Octávio Sera Van-Dúnem as coordinator of this council and argues that “it prioritizes social consultation and interaction with the business community, with cooperatives and with the economic and scientific community” and with other sectors.
Several businessmen, economists, the general director of Action for Rural Development and the Environment (ADRA), António Carlos Cambuta, diplomat Ismael Abraão Gaspar Martins, or the president of the Industrial Association of Angola, José Ludovino Severino Vasconcelos, are part of the council.
Among others, the list also includes the vice-rector of the Catholic University of Angola, Maria Helena Miguel, the president of the Angolan Association of Hotels and Resorts in Angola, Ramiro Manuel Barreira, and the coordinator of the Political and Social Observatory of Angola, Sérgio Zeferino by Assis Calundungo.
On September 29, 2020, João Lourenço considered that in the face of the “sea of difficulties” arising from the low price of oil and, at the time, from Covid-19, the “only way out” that remained for Angola is “to produce internally everything that the potential of the country allows”.
If, at the time, the “dear leader” took 45 years to discover the way out, it is likely that today it will take another 53 years to materialize.
“Stimulate the domestic production of goods and services, relying on national and foreign private investment in agriculture, fisheries, industry, tourism, real estate and other branches of the national economy”, said João Lourenço today. For 47 years, the MPLA has known what needs to be done (before 1975, the Portuguese were already doing it), but it continues to be in the dilemma of “yes, no, maybe, on the contrary, however, nevertheless, rather on the contrary”…
In September 2020, the President, who was speaking at the Presidential Palace, in Luanda, at the inauguration ceremony of the members of the Economic and Social Council, underlined that the stimulation of domestic production should contribute to the “increase of the job offer”, especially for young people.
At least 46 people, including economists, academics, environmentalists, analysts, sycophants and other actors from Angolan civil society made up the Economic and Social Council at the time, created at the time thanks to the messianic vision of João Lourenço and which, when its members took office, members, said he relied on the knowledge and experience of the personalities that made up the Board.
“Together we can find the best ways out of this difficult situation we are in”, said General João Lourenço, underlining: “But that will be overcome if we work together and with optimism and hope in better days”.
“The storm will pass, but the calm will only come with the organized and selfless work of the best sons of the country, those who seek to do well what they know how to do, putting this knowledge to the benefit of the economic and social development of the country”, noted João Lourenço with an almost… divine insight. And if it is possible that the “best sons of the country” belong to the MPLA, then salvation and paradise will be right around the corner.
The President also expressed confidence to the members of the Economic and Social Council, referring: “Together we will discover the opportunities that are hidden behind what appears to be only difficulties”. “We will discover together ways to create wealth and end poverty,” he noted.
Out of modesty, one of his many characteristics, the President did not mention the possibility of discovering, together, the sea route to Huambo. Will it be this one?
Looking at the world’s difficulties, aggravated by the drop in oil prices and Covid-19, which also had a negative impact on Angola’s socio-economic condition, he said that the situation “forces us to be increasingly resourceful and creative”.
Stressing that everyone wants “the best” for Angola, “regardless of who has the mandate of the people to govern”, he stressed that over the three years of his mandate (we were in 2020) at the head of power in Angola, the executive has sought “ always work with organized civil society”. In other words, organized civil society opines but João Lourenço decides.
“With NGOs, churches, professional and business associations that have helped us to find the best ways to solve the economic and social problems we face”, he pointed out.
At the time, economists Alves da Rocha, Carlos Rosado de Carvalho, José Severino and Precioso Domingos, environmentalist Vladimir Russo and activist and defender of women’s rights Delma Monteiro were some of the personalities chosen to join the Economic and Social Council.
Showing what they were going for, the members of the Economic and Social Council praised the creation of the body considering that it would be a “privileged space for influencing public policies” and where João Lourenço would have “better information to decide”. Because! He saw himself. We are already in paradise, according to João Lourenço.
“This can be considered a step in the right direction, this Council has a group of people who think for themselves and who say what they think, and that is what I hope that the councilors do and that I personally will do with the President” , said economist Carlos Rosado de Carvalho. And since it’s not a sin… waiting is a quality. By the way, in Angola the popular Portuguese adage that tells us that “who hopes despairs” does not apply. Here, the only thing that says that “those who wait always reach” are valid… even if only in the holy peace of eternity.
For the also journalist, one of the 46 members that made up the Economic and Social Council, the Angolan head of state will not have to do what the advisers say. “We are not going to say what the President wants to hear, but we are going to say what we think and make a contribution and, in the case of economists, I am sure that the President of the Republic will have better information to decide”, he added.
Delma Monteiro, executive director of the Angolan Association Observatory of Public Policies from the Gender Perspective (Assoge), also sworn in, considered the council as a “privileged space for influencing public policies”.
“We want to believe that we can make a real contribution so that public policies bring tangible improvements in the lives of economically vulnerable women in the country”, he added. The defender of the rights of “zungueira” women, also stated that Assoge, which defends greater social inclusion, notes that “several programs approved over time ended up excluding ‘zungueira’ women”.
On her side, economist and university lecturer Laurinda Hoyggard also pointed out the importance of the Economic and Social Council, made up of various sensitivities of Angolan civil society, for the country.
“It is the intention to enrich the contributions so that we have a better life for our country and all people”, he said.
The members of the Economic and Social Council should, moreover, do what João Lourenço recommended to the Council of the Republic, that is to say that they combine the verb reflect well. And it is for this very reason that, although Folha 8 is only a member of the Council of those who refuse to move their spines and gut their brains, we reflect every day.
Therefore, brothers, let us then reflect. I reflect, you reflect, he reflects, we reflect, you reflect, they reflect. Or would it be more correct to say: I will reflect, you will reflect, he will reflect, we will reflect, you will reflect, they will reflect?
Just in case, it would be good for me to reflect, for you to reflect, for him to reflect, for us to reflect, for you to reflect, for them to reflect.
However, best of all (according to the MPLA) is that you do not reflect, he does not reflect, we do not reflect, you do not reflect, they do not reflect…
To reflect, here is who can and is in charge: the dear leader, General João Lourenço.
Page 8 with Lusa
