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Highlights for Monday, 28 April 2014
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 The Pan-African Conference on Inequalities in the Context of Structural Transformation opened on Monday, 28 April 2014, with traditional music and dance performed by the National Dance Company. Participants also viewed a short video presentation, which illustrated the impact of inequalities.
During the morning, participants heard opening speeches and messages of goodwill from dignitaries.
P. V. Obeng, Chairman, National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Ghana, expressed hope that the discussions taking place will produce activities that lead to more responsive and responsible governments, underscoring that people should be at the center of development.
John Dramani Mahama, President, Republic of Ghana, opening the Conference, said that the discussions at the Conference aim to invigorate African efforts to tackle the joint problem of inequalities. He cautioned against attributing inequality to a lack of diligence, discipline and willpower.
Participants engaged in a dialogue on African inequalities in the global development agenda. A high-level panel on inequalities took place, chaired by Hanna Tetteh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ghana. Panelists addressed various topics including: the role of gender in a transformational agenda; the role of politics for promoting social inclusion; progress of discussions for the post-2015 development agenda; and the role of regional integration in combatting inequalities.
In the afternoon, participants took part in a dialogue on understanding African inequalities, chaired by Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana.
Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, presented framing remarks on why structural transformation is important for Africa’s equitable development agenda and Africa 2063.
The panel discussion on understanding economic, social, political and spatial inequalities in the context of structural transformation was chaired by Anthony Mothae Maruping, Commissioner, Economic Affairs, African Union. Panelists addressed topics including: different types of inequalities; the environmental dimensions of inequalities; and mechanisms that perpetuate inequalities.
The discussion on country experiences and perspectives was chaired by Aidan Eyakuze, Society for International Development (SID). Participants heard case studies from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa.
In the evening, participants were invited to attend a banquet hosted by the President of Ghana.
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Pan-African Conference on Inequalities in the 
