Africa Day: African Diplomatic Corps calls on leaders to prioritise peace, cooperation
The Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors in Ghana and the Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of Morocco, Imane Ouaadil, has called on African leaders to prioritise unity and cooperation to create the needed atmosphere for the development of the continent.
This move, she said, would help lay the foundations for a more peaceful and prosperous future for all peoples across the continent, especially the teeming youth who are in search of opportunities.
The Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors urged the leaders to create the needed environment as “the continent has vast human and natural resources that have the potential to eradicate poverty in the region and drive opportunity and prosperity for all”.
Ms Ouaadil was speaking at a Flag Raising Ceremony organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Accra yesterday to commemorate the African Union (AU) Day, which is observed on May 25 each year.
Dignitaries
The ceremony was attended by a host of Ambassadors of African Countries in Accra and other members of the diplomatic corps and officials from the MFA, led by the Chief Director, Joseph Ramses Cleland.
Also present at the event were ministers of state, including the Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and the Minister of Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah.
Mr George and the Dean of the Group of African Ambassadors raised the AU and Ghana flags and planted trees as a symbol of Africa’s nurtured relations, mutual growth and development. This year’s AU Day is on the theme: “Justice for Africans and people of African descent through reparations".
Reparative justice
Ms Ouaadil commended Ghana for championing the call for reparative justice and highlighted the call by President Mahama for payment of reparation to African countries at the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU earlier this year.
She emphasised that the theme aligned with Agenda 2063 of the AU for an integrated, peaceful and prosperous continent and “aims to mobilise political will, foster partnerships, engage stakeholders, elevate awareness, encourage dialogue, and bring to an end the culture of silence and denial surrounding racism and colonialism”.
She added that the call for action beyond acknowledgment at the 38th Ordinary Session by President Mahama was apt, saying, “the devastating effects of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, colonialism, apartheid, genocide and neo-colonial exploitation have resulted in economic disparities, social inequality, systemic discrimination, and racial prejudices”.
Mr George said although this year’s celebration came at a time when the continent was striving to overcome economic hardships, the effects of climate change, conflict and governance challenges, it must not lose sight of its progress.
“As we reflect on successes chalked up by the AU, including the hosting of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), headquartered in Accra, it is worth commending our collective fight against pandemics and terrorism as the African continent continues to demonstrate its resilience and its capacity for home-grown solutions,” he said.
He called on African countries to deepen regional integration, strengthen democratic governance and invest in the youth, who are not only the future of this continent but its present.
