Today marks another celebration of African Union Day across the African continent.
This year’s celebration marks the 60th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and its successor, African Union (AU). On this day in 1963, the heads of 32 independent African states met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, together with leaders of African liberation movements to discuss the continent’s complete freedom from apartheid, imperialism and colonialism. This birthed the OAU.
If the AU were a person, she would be retiring from active labour today! What would she have achieved over her productive years? Let’s start from the basics.
The union set out to:
1. To promote the unity and solidarity of the African States
2. To coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa
3. To defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity and independence
4. To eradicate all forms of colonialism from Africa
5. To promote international cooperation, having due regard to the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
To achieve the objectives above, member states shall co-ordinate and harmonise their general policies, especially in the following fields:
1. Political and diplomatic cooperation
2. Economic cooperation, including transport and communications
3. Educational and cultural cooperation
4. Health, sanitation and nutritional cooperation
5. Scientific and technical cooperation
6. Cooperation for defence and security.
Well, I think the AU has seen some achievements over the period. It has contributed in various ways to maintain peace on the continent through capacity building sessions on countering violent extremism and deployment of missions to conflict areas.
Somalia, for instance, made significant progress against Al Shabaab with support from the African Union mission in the country. This is notwithstanding the atrocities committed by the insurgent Al Shabaab.
Moving from the high-level achievements of the AU, let’s come home to Ghana. As a member of the union, we should have policies in line with the union’s objectives. We have good laws and policies that promote the wellbeing of citizens and non-citizens.
We also have mutual agreements with other African countries to promote movement of goods and people and general economic development while maintaining our sovereignty.
There is an aspect of the AU Day celebration I don’t quite understand. As an ordinary person, when I think about African liberation, I look out for the very small things: food, clothing, language, architecture and good customs.
At the moment, there is a lot of talk about “wearing Ghana, eating Ghana” and doing all things “Ghana”. We are promoting local consumption, which is great! If nothing at all, covid-19 taught us that we need to be self-sufficient in all areas of our economy for true development.
These are my thoughts on achieving the African Union agenda and the “do all things Ghana” agenda:
Many basic schools are wearing “African wear” today to mark the day. Can we, as a policy, dedicate one or two days per week in all schools to “African wear”? This will create more business for the local fabric producer, fabric vendors, tailors and other businesses in the value chain.
The government is doing well by promoting the use of local products in the School Feeding Programme. I know the programme has its own challenges with implementation but it has created jobs for many people and has improved attendance to school. Many more restaurants and food vendors are promoting the consumption of local foods. YouTube is full of recipes of local foods and snacks. Can we consider exporting our local foods by establishing multinational food chains like the KFCs and the likes? It might take time but starts from somewhere.
To our indigenous businesses, we understand that you are starting up. As you sell your products, can you focus on improving and maintaining quality with every set of products? The general perception is that our local products do not meet standards. This is changing as local businesses are making efforts to improve and meet the expectations of the contemporary Ghanaian.
Let us eschew tribalism and corruption and relate with one another, first as human beings with good intentions. Let us understand that we are unique individuals who play key roles in the overall development of the continent. People in leadership positions should understand that they are there to serve the masses. The masses should also support leaders to do the right thing and call them out when necessary. Let peace and unity guide our daily engagements with one another. Above all, let us uphold our laws and let justice prevail.
Make this celebration truly count by promoting Ghana and Africa every day. Promote the positive aspects of our cultural heritage every day. Use social media to project the positive aspects of Ghana and Africa.
You are an ambassador of the continent wherever you find yourself. A change in the African narrative begins with you!
Emmanuel Asei Kangah
Asaase Radio 99.5 broadcasts on radio via 99.5 in Accra, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 100.3 in Cape Coast and on our affiliates Bawku FM 101.5 in Bawku, Beats FM 99.9 in Bimbilla, Somua FM 89.9 in Gushegu, Stone City 90.7 in Ho, Mining City 89.5 in Tarkwa and Wale FM 106.9 in Walewale
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