AFRICA’S TIME IS HERE!

Page 7: Daily Graphic, May 26, 2012 TEN years ago, African Heads of State agreed to transform the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU). To the African leaders, the exigencies of the time required that the OAU, which had been formed with a shared vision for independence and liberation, be transformed into the AU to effectively address the continent’s quest for progress and development. It symbolised our collective spirit and search for unity, dignity and development in Africa. But 10 years down the line, Africans are yet to see any major breakthrough in the shared vision of our leaders of achieving sustainable growth and development, fighting poverty and entrenching democracy, the rule of law, human rights, peace and security. The continent is still confronted with challenges such as political instability, language differences, colonial borders, protectionist tendencies, long delays at entry and exit points, payment systems and bureaucracy. While in Kenya in 2010, the US Secretary of State, Mrs Hillary Clinton, summarised the problems of African countries thus: “African countries have not focused sufficiently on expanding intra-African trade and are missing out on an excellent method to grow their combined gross domestic product”. This year’s AU Day is being commemorated on the theme: ‘’Boosting Intra-African Trade’’, in line with the commitment to fast-track the creation of an African continental free trade by 2017. While we appreciate the theme for the day, the Daily Graphic believes that our leaders must go beyond words and put into action the plans and programmes they themselves have initialled to lead the continent out of the economic woods. They need no reminder that in the world’s most integrated bloc, the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), economic integration preceded politics and money followed opportunity, not the other way round. Africa has both the human and material resources to steer itself out of poverty and under-development and become the world’s economic power base if we can bury our artificial differences and come together, especially at this time when the rest of the world yearns to partner Africa. This is Africa’s finest hour to get out of the poverty net. Coming together should not just be symbolised by our leaders meeting to pop champagne, make long speeches and strengthen their personal friendship. It should be about bringing our people together and encouraging them not only to make friends but collaborate and pool their resources to develop the continent. The Daily Graphic believes that bringing Africans together and encouraging them to do business and share expertise will be in line with the vision of the AU: “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.” We think trade is a great tool for growth and development, for which reason all forms of impediments must be removed, and we believe all efforts should be accelerated to promote intra-African trade on the continent. There is the greater challenge of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and coming together on all fronts can help the continent to meet the targets. The Daily Graphic thinks that the significance of the day must help raise our collective resolve and the political awareness of the true state of affairs in Africa.