By Benjamin Adamafio Commey, GNA
Accra, May 26, GNA – Dr Kofi Osei-Kusi, President of the Pan-African Leadership Institute (PALI), has urged African leaders to prioritise continental unity, stressing that it remains the only viable path to sustainable development, economic transformation and global influence.
He said despite the numerous political, economic and security challenges confronting the continent, Africans must not abandon the vision of continental integration championed by the founding fathers of the African Union (AU).
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to mark the Africa Day, Dr Osei-Kusi said the occasion should serve as a reminder of the continent’s shared destiny and the urgent need for Africans to work together.
“As we mark the day today, I want to call on Ghanaians and Africans to believe in Africa again and rekindle our sense of confidence in ourselves as a people,” he said.
“Africa has always been the cradle of civilisation. We built some of the greatest infrastructures in history and survived slavery, colonisation and exploitation, yet we are still here.”
Africa Day is commemorated annually on May 25 to mark the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1963 by 32 independent African states.
The OAU was transformed into the African Union in 2002, with a broader objective of accelerating political and economic integration. The AU now comprises 55 member states and promotes peace, security, democratic governance and economic cooperation, including the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Dr Osei-Kusi noted that Africa’s history of colonisation and partitioning had weakened the continent and contributed to divisions among its people.
“We know the continent was divided and partitioned. Families, communities and ethnic groups were split across borders. A divided people are weak,” he said.
He recalled that Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and other Pan-African leaders strongly advocated unity, although their ideas initially faced resistance.
“Over time, many countries and people have come to appreciate the importance of African unity. Africa Day gives us the opportunity to rekindle that spirit,” he added.
Dr Osei-Kusi expressed concern that many Africans had lost confidence in the continent due to distorted historical narratives and the lingering effects of colonialism.
“Unfortunately, many minds have been colonised. Some people believe Africa has never achieved anything significant, but that is the biggest lie ever told,” he said.
He said Africa was home to some of the earliest centres of education, scholarship and civilisation, which influenced later developments in other parts of the world.
He, therefore, called for intensified education on African history, identity and integration, particularly among the youth.
“A lot of students know more about Europe and America than about Africa. Some can tell you everything about foreign football clubs but know very little about the greatness of Africa and our own history,” he said.
Dr Osei-Kusi also proposed that Africa Day should be celebrated more frequently to sustain public awareness of Pan-Africanism and the continent’s development agenda.
“I wish we had an Africa Day every month, not just as a public holiday, but as a day to educate ourselves about Africa, our vision and our collective future,” he said.
Touching on the AfCFTA, he described it as a major step in the right direction but noted that its implementation had been slow.
“It is the right thing to do, but the pace is too slow. We must push it because it has to be done,” he said.
The AfCFTA, which commenced trading in January 2021, seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services, facilitate the movement of people and investments, and boost intra-African trade.
Dr Osei-Kusi identified leadership and mindset as some of the major challenges confronting the continent, stressing the need for Africans to believe in unity and collective progress.
He also attributed the AU’s limited response to crises such as coups, insecurity and conflicts in Sudan, the Sahel and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to funding constraints.
“The African Union is still not fully self-funding. The one who pays the piper calls the tune,” he said.
He called on African countries to commit more resources to strengthening continental institutions and implementing African-led solutions to African problems.
On the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa against other African nationals, Dr Osei-Kusi described the incidents as unfortunate but cautioned against using them to undermine the broader agenda of African unity.
“This is not a case for dismantling African unity. The underlying issues are unemployment, poverty and lack of opportunities for young people,” he said.
He said economic hardships and social inequalities often led to frustration, which may result in the scapegoating of foreigners.
Dr Osei-Kusi urged Africans to support local industries and products as part of efforts to build stronger economies across the continent.
“Let us buy African, use African and believe in Africa. We must put our money where our aspirations are,” he said.
“The only way forward is for Africa to unite economically, politically and socially. Divided, we cannot make it. Together, we can become as formidable as we have ever been,” he said.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Benjamin Adamafio Commey