On the 25th of May every year, Africa as a continent celebrates Africa Day. As against popular thoughts, this day was actually the day the Organization of African Unity (now African Union), an organization that represents the interest of all African States, was formed in 1963. So since this organization represents all our interests, we celebrate its founding date, as an extension to the day in which Africa’s ‘autonomy’ was registered officially to the world.
It is a huge privilege for us all to have the opportunity to celebrate this day, at this point in time. Africa, as a continent, has seen far more glorious and bubbling days, and it has also seen terrible times too. Hence in as much as we celebrate our victories, we must also count our losses, and reflect on how to overcome them.
See – “Arise Africa”- A call for action and responsibility for Africans
With 54 Independent, sovereign countries, and a GDP of $7.16 trillion as of 2019, the economic, political and cultural system of the continent seems to have found life and has grown more from time to time. The educational ratio has grown, with more Africans getting a substantial level of education. Also, the economy has grown, with various African youths engaged in various acts of entrepreneurship. In the space of a few decades, we have recorded tremendous growth across various sectors, and this has attracted us to the world out there, with virtually everyone making Africa a number-one destination.
Now, what seems to be the big BUT that may be lurking around the corner? It is our losses, and shortcomings. Despite what we may have achieved, it is still imperative that we point out the areas that need to be patched up. The ‘patching up’ has to be made before we can solely move on to the top.
The presence of corruption creates many more problems for us than we can imagine. Sudan just recovered over $4 billion which was embezzled by the previous government; Nigerian governments keep looting millions and billions of dollars of taxpayers money, investing in personal needs. And this is just to mention but a few. Also a lot, if not most, of the African governments have shown to have very little political transparency, from the electoral process to the business of governance.
Most African leaders have shown serious signs of human rights abuse; with gerontocracy being what is actually practiced, as most African leaders are above 60 years of age. Only a few youths are allowed into the government, with most of them holding positions of no much significance.
The core of the African society is being threatened by these BUTs. We have to address these issues before we thrive. We have to embrace transparency, dethrone gerontocracy, and allow African youths into politics. Of course, these may not be our only issues, but given that this year’s Africa Day Celebration occurs during a time where these BUTs are pressing issues that most civilized countries in the world, who are doing better than we have overcome. We need to get past these issues before we get to the top.
Happy Africa Day, from all of us at Crumour.
