The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has called on all proponents and believers in African Unity and the formation of a United States of Africa to raise awareness among the African masses and lead them for the renaissance of a new United Africa.
It said in spite of the removal of the celebration of African Union (AU) day from the national calendar celebration, the day should continue unabated, adding that “and we will create the necessary awareness for unity which is the sine quo non for economic development, political stability, peace and security for the African people.”
In a statement issued by the party in Accra and signed by its General Secretary, Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, to commemorate AU Day, it said the party would also lead the campaign for the restoration of Africa Liberation Day to its rightful place as one of the sacred and auspicious days of Ghana.
Unity
It said the struggle for the unity of Africa had become imperative, as a balkanised and fragmented continent had set the stage for civil wars, corruption, resource theft by foreign transnationals, underdevelopment, poverty and a platform of marauding foreign armies.
“Political instability has become the hallmark of most African countries due to competing rival elites who do not defend the national interest…” it said.
The statement noted that the formation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area had been long in coming.
It, however, wondered if African countries, industries, businesses, manufacturers and farmers were ready to take advantage and fully participate as independent entities in this huge trade bloc or they would allow themselves to be used as agents and conduits by foreign concerns to penetrate and take advantage of the free tariffs for the benefit of the metropolitan erstwhile ex-colonial countries.
National economies
The statement said if, indeed, the national economies were not controlled by Africans and the national interests pursued, “foreigners and foreign economic entities will enter through the backdoor, especially through bilateral and multilateral agreements such as the EU Economic Partnership Agreement with African countries which allows for preferential treatment of EU companies to the disadvantage of the country and the continent-wide businesses.”
It expressed its solidarity and felicitations to Africa and people of African descent “on this auspicious day”.
<<Print>>