The new United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Uganda, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, has presented her credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sam Kahamba Kutesa.

Speaking shortly after receiving her credentials on Wednesday May 29^th, 2019, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices in Kampala, Hon. Kutesa commended UNDP’s work in promoting development, peace and good neighborliness including the ongoing Uganda- Kenya Cross border initiative. He also encouraged UNDP to extend such initiatives to other countries such as South Sudan. He further stated that, UNDP should consider interventions that promote diaspora investments and South to South co-operation as contributions to Uganda’s growth.

On her part, Ms. Attafuah conveyed greetings to the honorable minister from the UNDP Administrator, Mr. Achim Steiner, and pledged continued UNDP partnership to the government and people of Uganda in their development aspirations. She highlighted that, UNDP will deploy its human, financial, technical and institutional resources in support of Uganda. Ms. Attafuah also underscored support to “the realization of the Uganda Vision 2040, the second National Development Plan, formulation of the third National Development Plan, and the overall implementation of the agenda 2030.” Importantly, as Uganda’s delegate, Hon. Kutesa, was the President of the UN General Assembly in September 2015 when world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals.

As the UNDP Resident Representative, and on behalf of UNDP Administrator, Ms. Attafuah has full responsibility and holds the ultimate authority for all UNDP interventions in Uganda. She represents, leads, and directs the full potential of UNDP’s capabilities and associated partnerships, in support of national development goals and strategies.

Ms. Attafuah’s background

Ms. Attafuah has over twenty years of global experience in programme development and implementation, as well as in organizational and strategic management, partnerships brokering, resource mobilization, external relations and diplomacy. She has also strong technical skill in applied research and policy analysis, youth and gender and civil society issues.  Ms. Attafuah has worked nationally and internationally in key sectors such as social development, environment and climate change, agriculture, rural development, education, and health.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Attafuah led, managed and coordinated UNDP’s Climate and Forests team and office in Africa, which is within UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support. She provided overall strategic direction, policy and technical guidance to 28 countries in the Africa portfolio. She has contributed significantly to the establishment of partnerships and financing platforms, networks and alliances and has led the design and implementation of major country and regional programmes. She has extensive understanding of and knowledge in international financing mechanisms, instruments and modalities.

Her vast professional experience spans years of working with UNDP and other international institutions such as the Global Mechanism of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Government Ministries, private sector, and civil society.

A national of Ghana, Ms. Attafuah holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Ghana, a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Diploma in Education from the University of Cape-Coast. She has participated in a number of leadership and management courses during her career.    

About UNDP Uganda

Although UNDP has been in Uganda for over 50 years, its formal relationship with the Government of Uganda began with the signing of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement on 29 April 1977. This agreement defines ‘the basic conditions under which UNDP and its executing agencies shall provide assistance to the government in carrying out its projects, and under which the projects shall be undertaken’. UNDP supports the Government of Uganda to achieve sustainable development, create opportunities for empowerment, protect the environment, minimize natural and man-made disasters, build strategic partnerships, and improve the quality of life for all citizens in line with Government priorities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Co-operation Framework and UNDP’s Strategic Plan and associated Country Programme Document.