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Unity and integration have been suggested as the panacea for Africa�s socio-economic and political development. Making the observation, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Samuel Sarpong, said the time had come for countries in Africa to build vibrant economies through the exchange of more goods and services, as well as expertise to change the lives of their people. Speaking with the Daily Graphic on the relevance of African Union Day, he emphasised the need for an effective implementation of free movement of people, goods and services among member countries to give meaning to economic integration. African Union Day was celebrated last Sunday. Dr Sarpong noted that to make AU relevant, African countries must sacrifice their individual sovereignty in favour of a united regional grouping. He said those were some of the sacrifices nations which were classified as First World Countries made to push their countries to a higher economic growth. He cited the European Union (EU) which had significantly transformed the fortunes of member countries of the union. Dr Sarpong said the leadership of Africa should be more committed to the ideals of the AU and use the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), which provides for a peer review, to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms on the continent.