By Benjamin Adamafio Commey
Accra, May 25, GNA – Dr Kofi Osei-Kusi, President of the Pan-African Leadership Institute (PALI), has described attempts to use recent xenophobic attacks in parts of Africa to undermine the vision of African unity as misguided and counterproductive.
He said although recent attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa had generated concerns across the continent, Africans must not allow isolated incidents to weaken the long-standing dream of continental integration championed by the continent’s founding fathers.
Dr Osei-Kusi’s remarks come amid renewed xenophobic attacks in South Africa targeting foreign nationals, including Ghanaians and other African migrants.
Ghana’s Government recently approved the evacuation of hundreds of Ghanaians from South Africa following reports of harassment and violence, with the first batch of returnees expected to arrive in Accra on Wednesday, May 27.
The Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced support measures for affected nationals, including financial assistance, transportation, reintegration support, psychological counselling and access to employment and business opportunities upon their return to Ghana.
South African authorities have also pledged to act against perpetrators of xenophobic violence following diplomatic concerns raised by Ghana and other African countries.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the AU on Monday, he said the recent attacks were driven more by poverty, unemployment and lack of access to opportunities rather than hatred.
“What clearly is happening in South Africa isn’t just a hatred for Africa. It is a lack of jobs for people, poverty, unemployment and lack of access to opportunities,” he said.
“This is simply scapegoating. This is not a case for dismantling African unity or the African Union. Using xenophobic attacks to condemn the progress of African unity, I think, isn’t appropriate.”
Dr Osei-Kusi said African unity remained essential to the continent’s development, prosperity and global influence, stressing that the AU Day remained one of the most important days on the calendar of the continent.
The AU Day is observed annually on May 25 to commemorate the formation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The OAU, which later transformed into the African Union (AU) in 2002, was established to promote unity, solidarity and cooperation among African states and to support the liberation of countries still under colonial rule at the time.
The AU currently comprises 55 member states and continues to champion economic integration, peace and security, democratic governance and sustainable development across the continent through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The PALI President said frequent remembrance of Africa’s history and collective aspirations was necessary to preserve the vision of Pan-Africanism and continental solidarity.
“Without that, we are going to lose memory of our history and where we are heading to. Big things are never achieved overnight,” he added.
Dr Osei-Kusi recalled that Africa suffered deep divisions following the partitioning of the continent by colonial powers in the 19th century, which split families, ethnic groups and communities across artificial borders.
“A divided people are weak. The issue of African unity, which our founding fathers, including Dr Kwame Nkrumah, propagated, remains relevant today,” he said.
Dr Osei-Kusi noted that although Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, faced opposition for his Pan-African ideals at the time, many African countries had since recognised the importance of regional cooperation and integration.
The AU Day, he said, offered Africans the opportunity to rekindle the spirit of unity and renew confidence in the continent’s future.
He expressed concern over the the “colonised mindsets” that some Africans continued to hold, which undermined the continent’s confidence and progress.
“Unfortunately, many minds have been colonised, and there are people who continue to constrain our own progress and the confidence of Africans,” he said.
Dr Osei-Kusi, therefore, urged African leaders and citizens to deepen continental cooperation rather than allow divisions and intolerance to derail the Pan-African agenda.
“The AU Day should remind us that Africa’s future depends on unity, confidence and collective progress,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Benjamin Adamafio Commey