By Elsie Appiah-Osei, GNA
Accra, May 8, GNA – Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, the newly elected Second Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), has called for renewed efforts to educate South Africa’s younger generation about the sacrifices made by other African countries during the anti-apartheid struggle.
Speaking to journalists at Kotoka International Airport on Thursday, during her arrival, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings said the call was urgent considering renewed concerns over xenophobic attacks targeting African nationals in South Africa.
She said, “The issue of xenophobic attack has been an unfortunate incident, and we have raised issues with it.”
“As we all know, Ghana, together with many other African countries, took part in solidarity in the fight against the system of colonisation in South Africa,” she added.
Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, the Clerk to Parliament led the Parliamentary delegation to welcome the Second Vice President of the PAP.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings, also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Klottey Korle highlighted that Ghana and other African states provided logistical, financial, diplomatic, and even travel document support to South Africans involved in the liberation struggle. She warned that this shared history was at risk of being forgotten.
“Perhaps we are not telling the stories enough for the younger generation for them to know that in terms of logistics, finance, passports and others to the people who then were part of the struggle,” she noted.
She stressed that the PAP had a responsibility to uphold the principles of continental unity and remind Africans of their common fight against colonialism and apartheid.
“We have a duty as the Pan-African Parliament to remind them of the principle that binds us as a people on the continent,” she added.
Her remarks come as African leaders and institutions face growing pressure to address xenophobia and strengthen Pan-African solidarity.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings argued that better education on the continent’s liberation history would foster mutual respect and discourage hostility toward fellow Africans.
Ghana was among the first countries to support the African National Congress and other liberation movements, hosting exiles and providing material aid during apartheid.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings is the daughter of Ghana’s former President Jerry John Rawlings, who was a vocal advocate for Pan-Africanism throughout his presidency.
Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings was elected the Second Vice President of the PAP, following her decisive election during the body’s recent ongoing session.
The Klottey Korley legislator secured a commanding 131 votes against 51 for her opponent, a result widely interpreted by observers as a strong endorsement of her leadership credentials by members representing the African Union’s 55 member states.
Her swearing-in placed her among the top leadership of the Parliament’s Bureau, making her one of the key figures shaping the direction of the continental legislative institution.
In brief remarks after taking the oath, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings signalled her readiness to serve, stating that her focus would remain on “deepening democratic governance, championing health equity, and ensuring that the voices of young people across Africa are heard and represented,” reports quoted her as saying.
The PAP, established in 2004, serves as a platform for elected representatives from across the continent to deliberate on policies aimed at integration, development, and good governance.
Although currently advisory, the institution continues to push toward acquiring full legislative powers, including the authority to enact binding laws for member states.
GNA
Kenneth Odeng Adade
Elsie Appiah-Osei
[email protected]