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Members of the clergy in Africa have raised concern over the debt burden which many countries in the region are grappling with which they argue has prevented many of them from having the resources to invest in crisis response and protect their most vulnerable.

According to the clergy, for African countries to successfully address debt crises, it is crucial to tackle the complexities arising from multiple creditors.

They said this can be achieved through strengthening human development values in their missions, boosting their financial capital and improving their instruments for financing.

The clergy who come under the umbrella Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) said many African countries are still struggling to regain their 2019 economic performance levels due to the effects of the Covid.

“Moreover, it is important to ensure that any additional resources are accompanied by increased accountability and meaningful involvement of the communities and societies affected by their programmes,” said Bishop Stephen Mamza Dami, second vice president of SECAM and president in charge of Justice Peace and Development Commission.

“This necessitates the coordination of efficient, prompt, and comprehensive policies that encompass both public and private creditors. Massively scale up the flow of resources for development in affordable terms. The current momentum for reform of international financial institutions presents an opportunity to adapt them according to present needs and requirements,” added Bishop Dami.

The clergy recommends African governments prevent new cycles of high indebtedness by setting foundations for responsible lending and borrowing, debt contract authorisation and disclosure safeguards.