AU needs rebranding now
Member states of the African Union (AU) Sunday commemorated African Union Day, a day set aside to celebrate the liberation of African countries from colonial rule.
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Flag-hoisting ceremonies and other public events are usually organised to mark the day. On such occasions, these events are limited to officialdom, with no serious engagement with the citizenry.
In fact, the reconfiguration of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the AU was seen as a promise for the continent, as its leaders had decided to rebrand the continental body to lead the process of political and economic integration.
The celebration of the day, therefore, is supposed to help us focus and reflect on the continent’s challenges, achievements and opportunities available to stimulate the development of the continent.
The Daily Graphic is, however, saddened by the quiet nature, if not the absence of activities to celebrate the day. For, apart from some schools which commemorated the day with exhibitions and cultural displays, the only thing many Ghanaians know about the day is its declaration as a public holiday.
Consequently, many have questioned the annoucement of the day as a holiday, since it contributes nothing to the kitty but only provides a rest day.
We dare ask about the essence of political freedom if the continent still depends on its colonial masters for economic sustenance.
Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, always believed that political freedom without economic independence was meaningless, hence his resolve and call for African solutions to be found to African problems.
We believe that if our leaders had been bold in the past and in the present circumstances to deal with African problems, the continent would, at least, have emerged from the quagmire of underdevelopment, disease and poverty.
Currently, member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are embroiled in a debate over the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
It is high time our leaders demonstrated pragmatic leadership in the task of reshaping the AU to work towards the complete emancipation of Africans.
For this reason, the Daily Graphic urges the leaders of the continent to get their peoples involved in the enforcement of the AU protocols on governance, the economy and integration of the armies and currencies of the countries on the continent.
As the continent celebrates this day, the Daily Graphic calls on the AU to rethink the celebration and chart a meaningful agenda that will inspire economic freedom, instead of political speeches that mean nothing to the ordinary African.
