By: Cucu Wesseh, Editor-in-Chief
Pan-Africanism is an ideology of liberation and development. Despite its radical evolution, Pan-Africanism emerged as a progressive philosophy and transformed into a liberation movement advocating an Africanist political and governance alliance for economic integration and unity of Africa and People of African Descent.
Pan-Africanism in Africa was fathomed by the fore-fathers of African Unity and thus, embodies the crux and foundation upon which a unique African Union must be reconstructed…
This blog is intended to spark an Africanist discourse as Think Africa enters its fifth year of engaging the Diaspora community in Finland; promoting social cohesion and empowering; it seems appropriate to focus on lessons learnt from the past, plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present.
The other intent of this blog is to serve as a clarion call to Africans in the Diaspora as well as individuals and entities with interest in Africa in an attempt to galvanize a Pan-Africanist approach in ascertaining the best possibility toward a strong and United Africa.
Africa Day
On May 25th of every year, Africans at home and abroad celebrate a historical symbolism in commemoration of Africa Day.
I do underwrite and subscribe to the notion that Pan-Africanism is Africa’s best strategy and path towards unity, progress and economic development. Further more, as we resolve to accomplish sustainable socio-economic and political integration; our success to achieve full independence and control of natural resources is certainly guaranteed by our concomitant efforts as a collective and heterogeneous entity.
Prior to 1963 and after; likewise from Cape Mesurado to Cape Coast and from Addis Ababa to the Cape of Good Hope; advocacy for African liberation and economic convergence of unique potential have been the focus of a progressive development agenda. In retrospect of historical lessons learnt from our past and particularity specific to current reality as well as experiences of individual African countries are marked by events culminating from the Arab Spring, the dilemma in Sudan; it is pivotal to pursue solution-oriented policies for the continent ́s overall futurity.
In terms of political stability, economic progress and social development; Africa’s sustainability and function as a holistic society is inseparable from the rest of the trajectory of the rest of the World; especially in view of the afore underlined factors, challenges and opportunities vested pon the continent and people of African descent; especially regarding self-actualization, political self-reliance and economic self determination.
In the absence and limitations of Political, Economic, Social and Technological factors, Africa’s developmental dilemma in securing full independence is indeed relative to the power dynamic in terms of control and autonomy over key natural resources.
The current conditions and state of affairs in countries such as Angola, the Congo Democratic Repulic, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria and with the exception of Liberia, and Ethiopia (not colonized) are exampliary of Africa’s colonial past in the context of poverty and underdevelopment.
Continental Africans and Africans in the Diaspora are continually confronted by substantive economic challenges of impact and development implications associated with social progress and economic growth.
The hitherto snail pace of Africa’s economic development is overwhelmingly disappointing and frustrating in view of the geography, potential and history of the continent. In terms of socio-economic progress gap and the slow pace of development vis-a-vis the challenge of increased poverty, administrative weaknesses, dysfunctional institutions are encompassed in the phenomenon of “failed states”. Despite these challenges, the African Diaspora must fear not to lose out on constructive engagement. We must embark on collective investments in innovation and consumer productivity.
From the Pan-Africanist perspective, it is imperative to ask the following relevant questions:
- How aligned are African countries in terms of independent economic and political policies.
- What is the function, role and impact of the African Diaspora’s contribution to Africa’s progress and development?
Finding remedy, sustainable and realistic development-oriented solutions are pivotal factors needed to fundamentally deal with Africa’s development dilemma.
African Diaspora
The African Diaspora as a collective and as individuals must strives to excel to its fullest potential in the context of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; specifically with regard to “self-actualization”. The African Diaspora is no exception and so must be able to adapt a robust and proactive role with exceptional responsibility erudite characteristics.
There is however, a dichotomy between “self-actualization” and collective empowerment. Thus, the African Diaspora must instead endeavor to excel to achieve sustainable results on the basis of its full potential with regard to knowledge-based assets, professional expertise, professionalism and capacity.
Herein lies the significance of the need for transition into a paradigm shift in redefining and re-conceptualizing the goals and objectives of Diaspora Organisations vis-a vis the role and impact of the African Diaspora not only in Europe, but globally.
Africa Rising
Thus, the participatory role of the African Diaspora in this context is frequently underestimated and misunderstood; often taken for granted and/or neglected partly because of underutilized skills and expertise. There is sufficiency in analogy to necessarily explore reasons for discontent, disconnect and an increase of disinterest among different segments of the African Diaspora, specifically in regards to proactive participation and involvement in civic society, asset-based community development as well as cultural diversity management: all of which are significant in the context of a non-profit and non-governmental organizational activities.
Our African narrative is still unfolding.
Thus, in view of the African adage “If you want to achieve fast results, act alone. If you want to achieve sustainable results, act collectively in a spirit of Pan-Aricanism… (paraphrased).
Thus, with a sense of caution I am compelled finish off with the reminder that Africa is capable of achieving much in as long as we remain concomitant in our efforts and commitment to build Africa.
“Lifting Africa”
Our collective sentiment for African unity is expressed in the traditional philosophy of “Ubuntu”; an understanding emphasizing the rationale for a new paradigm shift.
Africa will succeed in attaining economic progress, social cohesion, political integration, security and stability.
This evidently is an embodiment of the chief pillars of Agenda 2063.
