World Bank Chief Economist for Africa has urged South Sudanese leaders to allow the poor people to make their own choices to fight poverty.
Shanta Devarajan said the leaders should leave the poor people to choose what is good for themselves and their children.He made the recommendation on Thursday during a lecture under the theme: “Why are there so many poor people in Africa and South Asia?”
The economist said the fact that leaders choose for the poor is completely wrong because the poor know much better what they and their children needed.
Mr Devarajan said South Asia and Africa enjoyed good economic growth yet the number of poor remained large due to the failure of well intended public policies.
He called on South Sudanese leaders to use lessons from South Asia and other African countries to end poverty.
The public lecture that was sponsored by International Growth Centre brought together national and state governments officials, UN agencies and NGOs.