UNECA Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe Resigns

Many people especially Cameroonians, are yet to come to terms with the resignation of the United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Vera Songwe.

The UN Official announced her resignation on Monday, August 22, 2022 during a virtual meeting.

While her reason(s) for resignation are unknown, unconfirmed sources suggest she is moving to a new and better job.

Vera Songwe, Numerous Strides in Five Years

In five years as UNECA’s Executive Secretary, Dr Vera Songwe has achieved much.

She contributed to setting up the Africa Medical Supplies Platform and the African Vaccines Acquisition Team. She did this alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, the African Centre for Disease Control, the AU and Afreximbank, to secure COVID-19 vaccines for African countries.

Thanks to her, UNECA contributed in building Africa’s capacity to source, manufacture and trade vaccines.

The prolific lady was also part of a team that led Russia and Ukraine to sign a deal which helped in bringing down the prices of wheat and cereals back to normal.

Dr Vera Songwe was appointed Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in April 2017.

Eleanor Ayuketah Ngochi