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OP-ED: Happy Birthday To AU (OAU): Unity And Innovation–Pathways To Africa’s Leadership In Global Progress

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A Tribute To Africa on the Birthday (Bornday) Of The AU(OAU), May 25, 1963 (2024)

By Austin S. Fallah  -A True Son of Liberia, Africa, and the Planet Earth Soil

As the continent of Africa celebrated the 61st anniversary of the African Union (AU), originally established on May 25, 1963, as the Organization of African Unity (OAU), it is an opportune moment to reflect on the strides made thus far and the potential for the future.

Amidst this celebration, a pressing question surfaces how Africa should proceed on its journey to not just participate in but lead the global conversation on innovation, self-sufficiency, and societal cohesion?

Drawing inspiration from visionary African leaders like Ahmed Sekou Toure and Kwame Nkrumah, this powwow argues that African unity, through the eradication of trade barriers and the promotion of free movement, will not only elevate Africa’s agency on the global stage but also position it as a prime innovator and provider of opportunities for all humanity.

As the world teeters on the edge of transformational breakthroughs and food autonomy, Africa’s role has never been more critical.

The continent faces an unprecedented opportunity to become a beacon of inspiration, harnessing the booming fervor of a young population, rich cultural diversity, and abundant natural resources.

To actualize this vision, Africa must start by fostering internal unity and cooperation as both a principle and a strategy.

African states are continuously grappling with the remnants of colonial borders that have historically divided them.

The late President Ahmed Sekou Toure’s assertion that “An African statesman is not a naked boy begging from rich capitalists” resonates with the concept of economic sovereignty that Africa must pursue.

It is through self-determination and regional integration that Africa can aspire to be self-sufficient and competitive on the global stage.

The barriers that hinder the free trade of goods and the mobility of its people perpetuate dependency and stifle productivity.

For African states to thrive, their markets must be liberalized to facilitate intercontinental trade, which would, in turn, enhance food security, reduce poverty, and create a ripple effect of prosperity.

Expanding on President Toure’s economic aspirations, the late legendary and one of Africa’s finest President Kwame Nkrumah’s philosophical insights provide a road map for Africa’s unified identity: “I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me.”

His words carry the essence of Pan-Africanism, reminding us that unity is intrinsic and encompassed within each individual’s identity.

The AU/OAU’s foremost task should be reminding Africans of their collective identity, which transcends linguistic, political, and social divisions.

Such a realization of African identity is paramount to fostering solidarity and mutual respect among the continent’s nations.

Moreover, the late President Nkrumah’s words “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart” echo the potential power Africa holds when it transcends imposed divisions colonial legacies and external interventions have, in the past, imposed influences that divided Africans.

Therefore, a concerted effort to promote intra-African unity can counteract such divisiveness.

This unity provides a framework by which economic and social policies can be formulated to benefit the entirety of Africa rather than individual parts.

Coupled with the message of unity, President Nkrumah’s admonition to pair action with thought underscores the importance of due diligence and strategic planning.

As a continent with an expansive wealth of untapped resources, Africa’s potential for technological and scientific ingenuity is immense.

Critical analysis, thoughtful planning, and purposeful action must guide the continent in converting potential into tangible achievements.

African nations need to invest in education, research and development, and technology, all of which fuel innovation and ensure lasting self-sufficiency.

In the pursuit of innovation and self-sufficiency, the AU/OAU stands in a strategic position to advocate for and implement policies that encourage the free movement of goods and talents across African borders.

Such unrestricted movement will not only enable the sharing of expertise but also foster a climate of collaboration and mutual benefit.

Economies will flourish as businesses access larger markets and individuals find opportunities that match their skills without being impeded by unnecessary restrictions.

When it comes to leading the world in invention, unity, and opportunities for all human beings, Africa must reckon with its colonial past and strive for decolonized futures.

The AU/OAU should take the initiative in reforming education systems to cater more directly to African needs, nurturing innovators and thinkers who are grounded in their identity and capable of contributing novel solutions to global problems

But beyond policy and economic shifts, spiritual and social transformation must take place.

Africa must celebrate and nurture its diverse cultures as assets rather than liabilities.

Cultural exchange programs, Pan-African arts and film festivals, and other events that celebrate unity in diversity should become AU/OAU hallmarks.

Through these avenues, the richness of African heritage will not only unite the continent but also show the world a different narrative of Africa, one that is not defined by poverty and conflict but rather by creativity, resilience, and hope.

Finally, President Nkrumah’s call to action “When Duty Calls, man must obey” is a clarion call to Africa.

The AU/OAU must galvanize leaders and citizens alike toward a shared vision for the continent.

Africa’s future hinges on its leaders’ commitment to diminish internal barriers, emphasize collaboration and facilitate movement.

This shift in focus to the betterment of the continent as a whole, rather than individual nations, sets the stage for Africa to take a leadership role in a world hungry for equitable and humane solutions to its greatest challenges.

Let me end by saying that Africa must firmly seize the lead as the world stands on the brink of innovation and endeavors toward food self-sufficiency.

By championing unity among Africans and across the globe, dismantling trade barriers, and advocating for the free movement of people and goods, Africa can realize its vision to lead the world in invention, unity, and opportunities for all human beings.

The wisdom of our visionary leaders even though they are gone, their voices are still with us today, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Julius Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, and many others, stand as a guiding light, reminding Africa that the power to transform and unify lies within and that the journey to greatness is a shared one.

As the AU/OAU celebrates its 61st anniversary, let this mark not only a celebration of the past but also a commitment to a future of prosperity, innovation, and Pan-African unity.

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