Today May 25, marks exactly 51 years ago when the African Union (AU) formerly known as the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) was formed in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, by 30 out of the then 32 Independent African countries.
It was only King Hassan of Morocco and President Grunitzky of Togo who were absent.
The main aim of the Union was for the Africans to unite as one front and fight against the colonial rule in the continent.
Speaking about the AU in an interview with a Radio Ghana Correspondent in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, the Chief Executive for New Juaben Municipality, Dr. Kwaku Owusu Acheampong, called on African leaders to be committed to the aims and objectives of AU to enable the continent develop and be at par with the Europeans.
He noted that the commitment used to form the Union by the early leaders is waning due to individualism.
The continent Dr Owusu Acheampong said is currently being disintegrated due to a number of factors including religion which is taking hostage of 200 people forcing them to be in one religion, Boko Haram, adding that it is a barbaric action. Such practice he noted makes the European look down upon Africans as still underdeveloped.
Dr. Owusu Acheampong said, apart from the beautiful edifice in Addis Ababa the headquarters of AU, nothing concrete can be boasted of due to lack of funding.
He said the continent is said to be integrating through the union yet it is not seen in action due to a number of barriers one crosses from one country to another.
Dr Owusu Acheampong therefore suggested the removal of such barriers to enhance free movement by people to promote international trade within the continent to improve the economy of the countries and ease poverty.
He also called on the African leaders to educate their youth on the need for Africanism to enable them love their countries and follow the good example of their predecessors by contributing to the development of the continent politically, socially, academically and economically.
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